pregnant women's knowledge of gestational weight gain

What is it about?

Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) can negatively impact on maternal and foetal health. Guidelines based on Institute of Medicine (IOM) encourage managing GWG by following healthy eating recommendations and increasing physical activity. This study investigated pregnant women’s knowledge of their optimal GWG and recommended dietary approaches for GWG management.

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Why is it important?

This study provided an important insight into the gap in women’s knowledge not only about the GWG guidelines but also about the dietary guidelines which is an important aspect in managing GWG in pregnancy. Limited knowledge of IOM’s GWG guidelines and of specific dietary recommendations for pregnancy should be addressed by health care providers and education initiatives to assist the high number of women who enter pregnancy overweight or obese.