The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted pregnancy weight gain patterns, according to a recent study. Weight gain during pregnancy is crucial for both maternal and neonatal health, and excessive weight gain can lead to negative health outcomes, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
During the pandemic, social distancing measures and protocols to prevent the spread of the virus led to changes in daily routines, including increased sedentary behavior, altered eating habits, and increased anxiety and sadness among some individuals. Pregnant women were particularly affected by these changes, experiencing increased depression, fewer prenatal and postpartum visits, and a rise in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
To understand the impact of the pandemic on pregnancy-related outcomes, researchers conducted a study analyzing weight gain during pregnancy (GWG) patterns. They examined data from women who gave birth between March 2019 and March 2022, spanning the pre-pandemic period, the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the late pandemic period.
Key Findings of the Study:
1. Increased GWG: The study found that the average GWG increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Women who delivered during the peak of the pandemic or the late pandemic period gained more weight during gestation than those who delivered before the pandemic.
2. Timing of Conception Matters: Women who conceived before the pandemic but delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher GWG than those whose pregnancies were completed before the pandemic. GWG was lower for pregnancies conceived after the start of the pandemic or during the late pandemic period, although many of these women began pregnancy with slightly higher weights.
3. Monthly GWG Changes: The study observed a minor drop in mean GWG during March 2020, followed by an increase in mean GWG in the subsequent year.
4. Impact on Overweight and Obese Individuals: Women who were overweight or obese before pregnancy were more affected by changes in pre-pregnancy weight and GWG during the pandemic.
In conclusion, the study indicates that while there was an initial increase in GWG during the pandemic, GWG plateaued during the later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many women began their pregnancies with higher weights than those recorded before the pandemic. These findings highlight the complex interplay between the pandemic and pregnancy-related outcomes, particularly for individuals with higher pre-pregnancy weights.
