Excessive weight gain during pregnancy can increase the risk of gestational diabetes, Caesarean delivery, and large-for-gestational age infants as well as postpartum weight retention, the study found.
The researchers studied over 1200 women and found that those who followed strict diets before conceiving the baby gained an average of 4.4 lbs more than other women during pregnancy regardless of Body Mass Index (BMI).
The study also found that underweight women gained less than recommended weight overall and the habitual dieters gained even less during pregnancy.
The Institute of Medicine suggests that women should gain 28 to 40 lbs, 25 to 35 lbs, 15 to 25 lbs and at least 15 lbs for underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese women, respectively. Researchers believe that the results from this study could potentially be used to identify women at risk for unhealthy eating behaviors and they should be followed up for potential eating disorders.
The study is published in the October 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
