OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impacts of maternal weight gain during pregnancy on offspring weight and obesity from birth to 24 months of age.

METHODSThe information on maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain and demographic characteristics were collected from 317 pregnant women. The information on offspring weight, BMI and breastfeeding data was obtained from various follow-up examinations from 0 to 24 months of age.

RESULTSThe logistic regression analysis showed that excessive gestational weight gain resulted in an increased risk of obesity in children at age of 6 months (adjusted RR=3.56, 95% CI:1.31-8.35) and 9 months (adjusted RR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.04-3.28) after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The linear regression model showed that there were significant correlations between gestational weight gain and Z score of weight in offsprings at birth (β=0.032, 95% CI: 0.008-0.057), 3 months (β=0.037, 95% CI: 0.013-0.062), 6 months (β=0.043, 95% CI: 0.017-0.068), 9 months (β=0.038, 95% CI: 0.013-0.063) and 12 months (β=0.034, 95% CI: 0.009-0.059), but not at 18 months and 24 months.

CONCLUSIONSExcessive gestational weight gain may affect offspring weight and increase the risk of obesity in children from birth to 12 months of age. During their second year of life, this effect will temporarily disappear.