Weight gain in pregnancy depends on all except?
A. Smoking
B. Pre pregnancy weight
C. Ethnicity
D. Maternal age
Correct answer : A. Smoking
Factors influencing weight gain in pregnancy
Maternal age – Increased weight gain in younger women
Physical activity – Several studies have demonstrated an inverse relation between weight gain and level of physical activity
Prepregnancy weight – Weight gain in pregnancy is generally inversely proportional to BMI (Body Mass Index) in the pre pregnancy period
Race / ethnicity – The mean weight gain differs in various ethnic / racial groups
Parity – Lower weight gain was noted in multipara
Hormonal milieu – Levels of hormones like insulin and leptin can influence weight gain in pregnancy
Multiple pregnancy – Tend to gain more weight in multiple pregnancy
Hyperemesis gravidarum – Lower weight gain in women with hyperemesis gravidarum
Anorexia nervosa – Lower weight gain and lower birth weight in anorexic women
Substance abuse – Studies have found no significant difference in mean weight gain between smoking and non smoking women. But the birth weight was lower in babies born to women who were smokers.
Family violence – Greater risk of inadequate weight gain
Marital status – Many studies have found that married women were more likely to gain weight than single / divorced women
Ref: Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining the Guidelines, Institute of Medicine (US) and National Research Council (US) Committee to Reexamine IOM Pregnancy Weight Guidelines; Rasmussen KM, Yaktine AL, Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2009.