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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
LaJeana D. Howie, MPH1, Jennifer D. Parker, PhD2, and Kenneth C. Schoendorf, MD, MPH2. (1) Infant & Child Health Studies Branch, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 6525 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, 301-458-4611, LIH7@CDC.GOV, (2) Infant and Child Health Studies Branch, National Center for Health Statistics, 6525 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782
Adolescents gain more weight than their older counterparts during pregnancy. Postpartum obesity, a consequence of excessive weight gain can lower self-esteem and increase depression, particularly for adolescents. This study examined the correlates of excessive maternal weight gain among adolescent mothers in the United States, using 1999 Natality data. Previous studies of adolescent maternal weight gain have relied on small clinical populations. This study provides a current national perspective. Using the Institute of Medicine guidelines, we defined excessive weight as 41 pounds or greater for women during a term pregnancy. First, weight gain distributions were tabulated by maternal age and other maternal characteristics. Then excessive weight determinants were compared for adolescents and older mothers. Finally, we further evaluated the role of parity on the relationship between excessive weight gain and maternal age. Over 25% of adolescent mothers gained an excessive amount of weight, while approximately 18% of their older counterparts gained over 41 pounds. The association between young maternal age and weight gain was stronger among white and Hispanic mothers than among black mothers, stronger for primips than for multips, and stronger for women with an inadequate education than for those with more education. Adolescents gained more weight than older mothers in nearly all demographic categories, regardless of parity. Adolescents may need more targeted nutritional counseling to avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescents, Pregnancy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.