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Body Composition Review

Body composition changes in pregnancy: measurement, predictors and outcomes

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 68, pages 643–652 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Prevalence of overweight and obesity has risen in the United States over the past few decades. Concurrent with this rise in obesity has been an increase in pregravid body mass index and gestational weight gain affecting maternal body composition changes in pregnancy. During pregnancy, many of the assumptions inherent in body composition estimation are violated, particularly the hydration of fat-free mass, and available methods are unable to disentangle maternal composition from fetus and supporting tissues; therefore, estimates of maternal body composition during pregnancy are prone to error. Here we review commonly used and available methods for assessing body composition changes in pregnancy, including: (1) anthropometry, (2) total body water, (3) densitometry, (4) imaging, (5) dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, (6) bioelectrical impedance and (7) ultrasound. Several of these methods can measure regional changes in adipose tissue; however, most of these methods provide only whole-body estimates of fat and fat-free mass. Consideration is given to factors that may influence changes in maternal body composition, as well as long-term maternal and offspring outcomes. Finally, we provide recommendations for future research in this area.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by P30-DK-26687, UO1-DK-094463, and UL1 TR000040. EW is supported by T32 DK091227. 

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  1. New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital,, New York, NY, USA

    E M Widen & D Gallagher

  2. Institute of Human Nutrition and Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    E M Widen & D Gallagher

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    E M Widen

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Widen, E., Gallagher, D. Body composition changes in pregnancy: measurement, predictors and outcomes. Eur J Clin Nutr 68, 643–652 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.40

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