Gestational weight gain in a multi-ethnic sample of pregnant women from Counties Manukau Health, Auckland, New Zealand.

Aim: High and low gestational weight gain (GWG) adversely affects perinatal outcomes, and impacts long-term maternal and child health. Our aim is to report i) GWG categories by 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines in the multi-ethnic population in Counties Manukau Health, ii) demographic factors and iii) adverse perinatal outcomes associated with high and low GWG.

Method: Women with singleton pregnancy and weight recorded at ≤20 weeks and again in the third trimester comprised the study population.

Antenatal exercise in overweight and obese women and its effects on offspring and maternal health: design and rationale of the IMPROVE (Improving Maternal and Progeny Obesity Via Exercise) randomised controlled trial.

Background: Obesity during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes for the offspring and mother. Lifestyle interventions in pregnancy such as antenatal exercise, are proposed to improve both short- and long-term health of mother and child. We hypothesise that regular moderate-intensity exercise during the second half of pregnancy will result in improved maternal and offspring outcomes, including a reduction in birth weight and adiposity in the offspring, which may be protective against obesity in later life.