The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64318

Daniel C. Payne, MSPH, Graduate School, Tulane University, 2655 Hosea Williams Drive, Atlanta, GA 30317, 770-488-8465, dcpatlanta@yahoo.com

Black women are more likely than White women to gain inadequate weight during pregnancy. This study attempts to identify and understand differences in the indicators of maternal weight gain by race in an effort to identify women at risk for Low Maternal Weight Gain (LMWG) and prevent possible subsequent negative health outcomes. Twenty-one demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, substance exposure, and pregnancy-related maternal variables were included in bivariate and multivariate analyses, including race-specific logistic regression modeling, to identify race-specific differences in LMWG. Although the association of LMWG to LBW outcome is significant for both races in this study, LMWG is related to different indicators depending upon maternal race. Results from the logistic regression models indicate that maternal race is simply a proxy for the complex fabric of true lifestyle and external factors related to inadequate weight gain. This study suggests that targeted prevention efforts should take into consideration these race-specific differences in maternal socioeconomics, substance exposures, and biological characteristics including anthropometrics, and gestational duration. Evidence regarding the health dangers presented by mothers who gain too much during pregnancy has also accumulated. The ability for public health practitioners to effectively promote the narrow target of normal maternal weight gain is recognized. These results demonstrate that weight gain adequacy differs between races, and effective public health targeting methods should understand the race-specific characteristics that significantly indicate potential problems in achieving adequate pregnancy weight gain.

Learning Objectives:

• * understand a comprehensive model of race-specific maternal characteristics that are significantly associated with achieving inadequate pregnancy weight gain;
• * Identify potential opportunities and sensitivities that could be utilized by health practitioners to effectively target weight gain issues with pregnant mothers.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Nutrition

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.