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 .
Dietary protein-to-carbohydrate ratio and added sugar as determinants of excessive gestational weight gain: a prospective cohort study
Objective To examine the relation between the protein : carbohydrate ( P/C ) ratio and added sugar intake in pregnancy and gestational weight gain ( GWG ) . Design A prebirth cohort including 103 119 pregnancies enrolled between 1996 and 2003 . Setting All women in Denmark were eligible to participate if they spoke Danish and were planning to carry to term . The pregnant women were recruited and enrolled during their first antenatal visit ( 6–10 weeks of gestation ) . Participants Participants included women with live-born singletons and complete data on dietary intake and GWG , leaving 46 262 women for the analysis . Exposure Macronutrient intake was quantified using a vali date d food frequency question naire administered in the 25th week of gestation . The P/C ratio and added sugar intake were examined in quintiles . Primary outcome measures GWG was based on self-reported weight in gestational weeks 12 and 30 and defined as gain in g/week . We used multivariable linear regression , including adjusting for pre-pregnancy body mass index , to calculate relative change in GWG and 95 % CI . Results Average GWG was 471(224 ) g/week . The adjusted weight gain was 16 g/week lower ( 95 % CI 9 to 22 , p for trend < 0.001 ) in the highest ( Q5 ) versus lowest ( Q1 ) quintile of the P/C ratio ( ∼3 % average reduction across the entire pregnancy ) . Weight gain for those with > 20%E vs < 12%E from protein was 36 g/week lower ( 95 % CI 20 to 53 , p for trend < 0.0001 ; ∼8 % average reduction ) . A high P/C ratio was inversely related to intake of added sugars . Added sugar consumption was strongly associated with GWG ( Q5 vs Q1 : 34 , 95 % CI 28 to 40 g/week , p for trend < 0.0001 ) . Conclusions A high P/C ratio was associated with reduced GWG . This association appeared to be partly driven by a decrease in intake of added sugar . These results are consistent with r and omised trials in non-pregnant participants . A dietary intervention targeting an increased P/C ratio with emphasis on reducing added sugar can contribute to reducing excessive GWG
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 .