Abstract
It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that all women of reproductive
age receive education about maternal and fetal risks associated with prepregnancy
obesity, excessive gestational weight gain, and significant postpartum weight retention,
including potential benefits of lifestyle changes. Behavioral counseling to improve
dietary intake and physical activity should be provided to overweight and obese women,
beginning in the preconception period and continuing throughout pregnancy, for at
least 12 to 18 months postpartum. Weight loss before pregnancy may improve fertility
and reduce the risk of poor maternal−fetal outcomes, such as preterm birth, gestational
diabetes, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, assisted delivery, and select congenital
anomalies. Lifestyle interventions that moderate gestational weight gain may reduce
the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, such as gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension,
large for gestational age, and macrosomia, as well as lower the risk for significant
postpartum retention. Postpartum interventions that promote healthy diet and physical
activity behaviors may reduce postpartum weight retention and decrease obesity-related
risks in subsequent pregnancies. Analysis of the evidence suggests that there is good
evidence to support the role of diet, physical activity, and behavior changes in promoting
optimal weight gain during pregnancy; however, there is currently a relative lack
of evidence in other areas related to reproductive outcomes.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 23, 2016
Footnotes
This Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position was adopted by the House of Delegates Leadership Team on October 23, 2008 and reaffirmed February 15, 2011. This position is in effect until December 31, 2019. Position papers should not be used to indicate endorsement of products or services. All requests to use portions of the position or republish in its entirety must be directed to the Academy at [email protected]
Reviewers: Sharon Denny, MS, RD (Academy Knowledge Center, Chicago, IL); Diabetes Care and Education dietetic practice group (Maria Duarte-Gardea, PhD, RD, LD, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX); Public Health and Community Nutrition dietetic practice group (Tatyana El-Kour, MS, RDN, FAND (Kour&Kour, Partner/Healthcare, Amman, Jordan); Cathy Fagen, MA, RDN (Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, CA); Women’s Health dietetic practice group (Christine D. Garner, PhD, MS, RD, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY); Women’s Health dietetic practice group (Judy Simon, MS, RDN, CD, CHES, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA).
Academy Positions Committee Workgroup: Denise A. Andersen, MS, RDN, LD, CLC (Business Consultant/Private Practice, Mendota Heights, MN) (chair); Mary J. Marian, DCN, RDN, CSO, FAND (University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ); Helen Kent, MPH, RDN (HM Kent Consulting, Denver, CO) (content advisor).
We thank the reviewers for their many constructive comments and suggestions. The reviewers were not asked to endorse this position or the supporting paper.
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Copyright
© 2016 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
