Abstract

Obesity, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2, is a global epidemic affecting an estimated 650 million people. The risks related to obesity at the start of pregnancy are substantial and may affect the health of mothers and their offspring child, both short- and long-term. Although there is a lack of high-level evidence to support the health benefit of weight loss during pregnancy, some obese women try to lose weight in pregnancy on volunteer basis. The potential mechanism and benefits/harms of gestational weight loss (GWL) among obese women on maternal and childhood outcomes are not clearly understood. We hypothesis that GWL in obese women, regardless of severity, is associated with increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes and long-term infant cognitive performance, compared to women with adequate gestational weight gain. If our hypothesis has been confirmed, the GWL should not be recommended in obese women although GWL may reduce risk of some pregnancy complications.

Keywords: Obesity; Body mass index; Pregnancy