Maternal fat intake ( n = 25 ) might be associated with gestational weight gain as suggested by observational studies , although the direction of this association might depend on specific types of fat ( e.g. , saturated fat ) .
Macronutrient intake was not consistently associated with the prevalence of inadequate or excessive gestational weight gain .
CONCLUSIONS The current literature provides evidence that energy intake is associated with gestational weight gain , but the roles of individual macronutrients are inconsistent .
BACKGROUND  Abnormal gestational weight gain is associated with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes .
Several risk factors have been identified , but the effect of macronutrient intake during pregnancy on gestational weight gain has not been systematic ally evaluated in both high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries .
Intake of Sweets, Snacks and Soft Drinks Predicts Weight Gain in Obese Pregnant Women: Detailed Analysis of the Results of a Randomised Controlled Trial
Background Lifestyle interventions targeting obese pregnant women often result in modest reduction in gestational weight gain , pregnancy complications and related risk factors . Examining adherence to the intervention can , however , provide valuable information on the importance of the different factors targeted . Objective To evaluate improvements and relevance of different dietary factors targeted with respect to gestational weight gain in a 3-arm R and omised Controlled Trial ( n=342 ) among obese pregnant women with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 . Methods R and omisation 1:1:1 to either hypocaloric Mediterranean type of diet and physical activity intervention ( D+PA ) ; physical activity intervention alone ( PA ) ; or control ( C ) . Diet was assessed at baseline ( weeks 11–14 ) and endpoint ( weeks 36–37 ) using a vali date d food frequency question naire . Results During the intervention women in the D+PA group significantly lowered their intakes of added sugars and saturated fat and increased their protein intake by ~1 % of total energy compared to controls . Of these dietary variables only intakes of added sugar appeared to be related to GWG , while no association was observed for saturated fat or protein . Further analyses revealed that foods that contributed to intake of added sugars , including sweets , snacks , cakes , and soft drinks were strongly associated with weight gain , with women consuming sweets ≥2/day having 5.4 kg ( 95 % CI 2.1 - 8.7 ) greater weight gain than those with a low ( < 1wk ) intake . The results for soft drinks were more conflicting , as women with high weight gain tended to favour artificially sweetened soft drinks . Conclusion In our sample of obese pregnant women , craving for sweets , snacks , and soft drinks strongly predicts GWG . Emphasis on reducing intakes of these foods may be more relevant for limiting gestational weight gain than encouraging strict compliance to more specific diets . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov
Maternal fat intake ( n = 25 ) might be associated with gestational weight gain as suggested by observational studies , although the direction of this association might depend on specific types of fat ( e.g. , saturated fat ) .
Macronutrient intake was not consistently associated with the prevalence of inadequate or excessive gestational weight gain .
CONCLUSIONS The current literature provides evidence that energy intake is associated with gestational weight gain , but the roles of individual macronutrients are inconsistent .
BACKGROUND  Abnormal gestational weight gain is associated with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes .
Several risk factors have been identified , but the effect of macronutrient intake during pregnancy on gestational weight gain has not been systematic ally evaluated in both high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries .