The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43904

Chris S. Wells, MS, Health Statistics Section, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246-1530, 303-692-2239, chris.wells@state.co.us

Objective: To compare the characteristics of women who gained an inadequate amount of weight during pregnancy in thirteen separate states, between 1997 and 1999. Multi-state analyses have not been performed addressing the prevalence of inadequate weight gain according to the Institute of Medicine's (IOM)guidelines based on pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Methods: Data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) will be analyzed for thirteen states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Maine, New Mexico, New York State (excluding New York City), North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington, West Virginia) that have complete datasets for the years 1997-1999. Percentages and standard errors will be calculated for the characteristic of interest using SAS-callable SUDAAN. Results: The adequacy of weight gain during pregnancy will be calculated for each of the thirteen states participating in the analysis. Weight gain adequacy will be further investigated by cross-tabulating each state’s weight gain distribution by specific demographic variables, such as age, race, marital status, education, and birth weight. In addition, population attributable risk for inadequate weight gain will be calculated to determine its contribution to the occurrence of low weight births within each state. Conclusion: The results of these analyses will reveal states that have significant and non-significant differences in the prevalence of inadequate weight gain.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Identify the prevalence of inadequate weight gain during pregnancy in thirteen states;
• Recognize that the prevalence of inadequate weight gain contributes to the occurrence of low weight births within each state;
• Discuss what can be done to prevent women from gaining an inadequate amount of weight during pregnancy.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Prenatal Interventions

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.