Study Links Pregnancy Weight Gain With Increased Dangers Of Heart Disease, Diabetes: Expert Comments

Pregnancy is a sensitive time that can have a long-lasting and often life-threatening impact. Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, and even encouraged in some cultures. However, gaining weight that is over the recommended limit may have the potential to increase your risk of dying from heart disease or diabetes.

This has been revealed by a recent study published in the Lancet. To understand more about healthy weight gain during pregnancy, the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Greata Sherene Robinson, Executive Nutritionist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Chennai.

Pregnancy Weight Gain

Robinson advised that ideally, a woman should gain 10-14 kgs during pregnancy, although this number varies in each pregnancy. She said that it increases the chances of a healthy delivery. 

However, if the weight gain is more than that, then "It increases the risk of a c-section, postpartum weight gain, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension," she said, adding that "The child will also be susceptible to obesity later in life."

The Lancet study assessed 46,042 people, and sadly 39% of them passed away by the end of the study. Bifurcating what excessive weight gain means for women of different shapes and sizes, their research showed:

• People who were too thin before getting pregnant (BMI <18.5 kg/m²), if they gained more weight than they should during pregnancy, had a higher risk of heart problems but not necessarily death from all causes or diabetes.
• If people had a normal weight before pregnancy (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), gaining too much weight during pregnancy increased their risk of dying from any cause and heart issues, but not diabetes.
• For those who were overweight before pregnancy (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²), gaining extra weight increased their risk of death from any cause and diabetes, but not heart problems.

How To Lose Weight During Pregnancy

"Weight gain during pregnancy is healthy, but anything in excess is not only damaging to your heart, it can be detrimental to your brain and that of your child as well," warned Robinson.

Suggesting some ways by which women can maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy, she listed:

• You should consume no more than 1,500 calories and an additional 300 for the baby, per week.
• Split these calories into three main meals and two to three small meals. 
• As the pregnancy advances, adjust your calorie intake accordingly. In the first trimester, you should consume 200 kcal every day, and 300 and 400 calories in the second and third trimesters, respectively.
• Keep a check on your cravings for junk food. You can consume it in moderation but avoid it as much as you can.
• Keep a watchful eye on your blood sugar level and blood pressure.

Overall, the findings of the study and Robinson's advice tell us it's important to keep your weight gain during pregnancy in check. It's not just about the pregnancy itself; it can affect your long-term health, including your risk of heart and diabetes-related issues.