Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Estimation of pre-pregnancy weight is difficult because measurements taken before pregnancy are rarely available. No studies have compared various 'proxy' measures using recalled weight or based on early pregnancy weight with actual measurements of pre-pregnancy weight. The Southampton Women's Survey recruited women during 1998-2002 who were not pregnant. Data on 198 women with an estimated date of conception within 3 months of recruitment were analysed. Three proxy measures were considered: (1) recalled pre-pregnancy weight obtained during early pregnancy, (2) measured weight in early pregnancy and (3) estimated pre-pregnancy weight using a published model. Mean (standard deviation) recalled weight was 1.65 (3.03) kg lighter than measured pre-pregnancy weight, while early pregnancy weight and weights from the published model were 0.88 (2.34) and 0.88 (2.33) kg heavier, respectively. The Bland-Altman limits of agreement for recalled weight were -7.59 to 4.29 kg, wider than those for the early pregnancy weight: -3.71 to 5.47 kg and the published model: -3.68 to 5.45 kg. For estimating pre-pregnancy weight, we recommend subtraction of 0.88 kg from early pregnancy weight or the published model, or addition of 1.65 kg to recalled weight. Estimates of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain categories were very similar when using early pregnancy and published model weights, but they differed from those using recalled weight. Our findings indicate that calculations of first trimester weight gain using recalled weight must be treated cautiously, and a measured weight in early pregnancy provides a more precise assessment of pre-pregnancy weight than recalled weight.
Authors: Hazel Inskip, Sarah Crozier, Janis Baird, Julia Hammond, Sian Robinson, Cyrus Cooper, Keith Godfrey, the Southampton Women’s Survey Study Group
Institutions: Southampton General Hospital, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital, NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle University
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,980
Funders: University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Heart Foundation, Dunhill Medical Trust, University of Southampton, European Commission, Versus Arthritis, National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, Medical Research Council
Awards: G1277089031, Programme 1: Musculoskeletal health in later life, Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy: A systematic review, G2473961061, G3207356259, NIHR Senior Investigator Award, Early-life stressors and LifeCycle health, G393177772, G434337789, NIHR Senior Investigator Award, Programme 3: Early development and risk of adult musculoskeletal disease, Sarcopenia, Frailty and Clinical Practice in Older People, G5605571342, G5702163051, Epigenetic biomarkers and determinants of cardiovascular risk in children, G6219046052, Lifecourse Determinants of Bone and Joint Disease, Engaging adolescents in changing behaviour (EACh-B): a programme of research to improve the diets and physical activity levels of teenagers, NIHR Senior Investigator Award, G7148818572, Nutrition, Development and Lifelong Health: Studies in European Populations, Long-term effects of early nutrition on later health
OpenAlex ID: W3092387910