UCSF

Background: Inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) is increasingly recognized as a significant health concern, posing risks to both maternal and neonatal health. Despite numerous studies investigating a range of factors associated with GWG at individual, familial, and societal levels, the findings to date remain inconclusive. Method: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with GWG, with a particular emphasis on the association between social/institutional, interpersonal/family, and maternal factors and excessive gestational weight gain and the relationship between antenatal depression and GWG. Both a systematic review and meta-analysis approach, as well as a secondary analysis using data from the Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for the period 2016-2021, were conducted. Results: The meta-analysis revealed that antenatal depression is associated with a higher risk of excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) (pooled OR = 1.13, 95% CI, 1.04–1.22) and insufficient GWG (IGWG) (pooled OR = 1.09, 95% CI, 1.02-1.16). The relationship between antenatal depression and GWG varied across different pregnancy stages. No association was identified between antenatal depression occurring later in pregnancy and either insufficient or excessive GWG. In the secondary analysis of the PRAMS dataset, no social/institutional or interpersonal/family factors were found to be associated with EGWG. Interestingly, having gestational diabetes was linked to a lower risk of EGWG (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.22-0.84). No associations were detected between any depression parameters and GWG, EGWG, or IGWG. Conclusion: Monitoring blood sugar levels and paying close attention to depression, particularly in the first half of pregnancy, is crucial. Further trimester-specific studies are necessary to elucidate the association between antenatal depression and GWG.