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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330517
Title: Energy intake and energy expenditure for determining excess weight gain in pregnant women

Author
item GILMORE, L - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item BUTTE, NANCY - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item RAVUSSIN, ERIC - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item HAN, HONGMEI - Inner Mongolian Agriculture University
item BURTON, JEFFREY - Pennington Biomedical Research Center
item REDMAN, LEANNE - Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Submitted to: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2016
Publication Date: 5/1/2016
Citation: Gilmore, L.A., Butte, N.F., Ravussin, E., Han, H., Burton, J.H., Redman, L.M. 2016. Energy intake and energy expenditure for determining excess weight gain in pregnant women. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 127(5):884-892.

Interpretive Summary: The goal of this secondary analysis was to test whether weight gain during pregnancy is the result of increased energy intake or changes in energy expenditure. In this longitudinal study, the energy intake and energy expenditure of 45 pregnant women were measured prior to pregnancy, and at 22 and 36 weeks of gestation. The women were divided into two groups based on their compliance with weight gain recommendations (19 high gainers and 26 low or ideal gainers). The analysis found that the energy intake was higher in high gainers (3,437+/-99 kcal per day) compared with low+ideal gainers (2,687+/-110 kcal per day). In contrast, the changes in basal metabolic rate and activity energy expenditure did not differ between groups. Dietary counseling of pregnant women may enhance adherence to weight gain recommendations.

Technical Abstract: To conduct a secondary analysis designed to test whether gestational weight gain is the result of increased energy intake or adaptive changes in energy expenditures. In this secondary analysis, energy intake and energy expenditure of 45 pregnant women (body mass index [BMI] 18.5-24.9 [n=33] and BMI 25 or greater [n=12]) were measured preconceptionally and at 22 and 36 weeks of gestation. Energy intake was calculated as the sum of total energy expenditure measured by doubly-labeled water and energy deposition determined by the four-compartment body composition model. Measurements of weight, body composition, and basal metabolic rate were completed preconceptionally and 9, 22, and 36 weeks of gestation. Basal metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetry in a room calorimeter and activity energy expenditure by doubly-labeled water. Energy intake from 22 to 36 weeks of gestation was significantly higher in high gainers (n=19) (3,437+/-99 kcal per day)compared with low+ideal gainers (n=26) (2,687+/-110, P<.001) within both BMI categories. Basal metabolic rate increased in proportion to gestational weight gain; however, basal metabolic rate adjusted for body composition changes with gestational weight gain was not significantly different between high gainers and low+ideal gainers (151+/-33 compared with 129+/-36 kcal per day; P=.66). Activity energy expenditure decreased throughout pregnancy in both groups (low+ideal gainers: -150+/-70 kcal per day; P=.04 and high gainers: -230+/-92 kcal per day; P=.01), but there was no difference between high gainers and low+ideal gainers (P=.49). Interventions designed to increase adherence to the Institute of Medicine guidelines for weight gain in pregnancy may have increased efficacy if focused on limiting energy intake while increasing nutrient density and maintaining levels of physical activity.