Nutritional studies during pregnancy. II. Dietary intake, maternal weight gain, and size of infant
Beal, V.A.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 58(4): 321-326
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 5550056 Document Number: 32420
The women of the preceding Abst. were generally well nourished before and during pregnancy, although there were wide variations between women. No significant correlations were found between intake of energy, carbohydrate, fat, protein or Ca and the length or bodyweight of the infant at birth. There was a significant correlation between energy intake in the 2nd trimester and total weight gain during pregnancy. Length at birth was significantly correlated with the woman's bodyweight before pregnancy and with weight gain in the 3rd trimester. There were smaller correlations between birthweight and the woman's bodyweight and weight gain. Women who were heavier before pregnancy or who gained a lot during pregnancy tended to have longer and heavier infants. Birth size was not related to parity. Women who smoked had infants with lower mean birthweights than non-smokers, despite higher average energy intakes and no significant difference in length of gestation. A study of repeated pregnancies in the same women showed a high positive correlation in bodyweight gain, with a mean difference of only 4.5 lb in gain from one pregnancy to another.