Exercise does not Limit the Weight Gained during Pregnancy
In a study of women with higher weights exercise during pregnancy was found to be safe for both mom and the baby. It was also found that fitness classes and exercise at home did not keep the mothers from gaining too much weight. According to Dr. Patrick Catalano, the finding has not come as a surprise. Dr. Patrick is a maternal-fetal medicine researcher in Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland. Dr. Catalano said, “Lots of studies have not shown any benefits relative to weight gain in pregnancy using either diet or exercise.”
Dr. Patrick did not participate in this new research. The Institute of Medicine which is U.S. based recommended that overweight women should gain about 15 to 2 pounds when they are pregnant and women who are obese should put on 11 to 20 pounds. These weights were less than those recommended for women with normal weight. Researchers also said that if a woman is overweight or is obese while she is pregnant or gains too much weight during pregnancy then the chance of having a large baby and needing a Cesarean section is increased. They risk for the baby to be born with defects or to become obese are also increased.
Dr. Catalano while talking to Reuters said that women who put on a lot of weight during pregnancy tend to keep it later also and are generally not able to shed it. He also said that a regular exercise or diet program will be the best if it is started before pregnancy. The desired results will not be achieved if the program is started mid-way through the pregnancy. The current research team was led by Simony Nascimento from UNICAMP Medical School in Campinas. 82 women participated in the research and they were three to five and a half months pregnant.
These women were split into two groups. One group attended weekly exercise classes, and counseling sessions on nutrition, weight gain, etc. The other group of women did not get any extra information related to exercise but received only parental care and advice. Regardless of the group they belonged to almost 550% of the women gained weight which was more than the upper limit that was recommended. Dr. Raul Artal who is head of obstetrics, gynecology and women’s health at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, said, “Pregnancy is not a state of confinement and indulgence. It’s an ideal time for behavioral modification for the benefit of both mother and the baby”.
