Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) found that gaining more weight during pregnancy increases the risk of death in women in subsequent years. The research was published in the journal Lancet.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 45,000 women who gave birth in the 1950s or 1960s. Their health was monitored for nearly 50 years until 2016. According to current recommendations adopted in 2009, thin women should not gain more than 13-18 kg during pregnancy, and obese women should not gain more than 5-9 kg.
Almost half of pregnant women gained more weight than recommended. This was associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The risk increased by 84% in people who were underweight before pregnancy but gained more weight than recommended, by 20% in the normal-weight group and by 12% in the overweight group. The risk of diabetes was also higher in all of these groups.
Interestingly, the risk of death was not increased in obese women. This might be because it’s already too long.
Weight gain during pregnancy does not occur in isolation, as access to healthcare, nutrition, and stress can play a significant role. Therefore, the authors hope that their study will help find ways to prevent excessive weight gain and improve the long-term health of postpartum women.
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