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Background <p>Obesity has emerged as a major global public health challenge, with women of reproductive age experiencing disproportionate risk due to progressive and cumulative weight gain across the reproductive life course. Excessive weight gain before conception, during pregnancy, and postpartum is associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean delivery, postpartum weight retention, and long-term cardiometabolic disease. Addressing obesity across this critical life course requires strategic, evidence-informed public health approaches.</p> Objective <p>To synthesize existing from U.S.-based studies on determinants of weight gain across the reproductive life course and to examine public health interventions for obesity prevention and healthy weight management before, during, and after pregnancy.</p> Methods <p>A comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify studies examining weight gain and associated risk factors among women of childbearing age. Studies conducted in the United States were included in the final synthesis to ensure contextual consistency in healthcare systems and maternal care practices. Eligible studies were narratively synthesized due to methodological heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and outcome measures.</p> Results <p>A total of 6 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Pre-pregnancy body mass index consistently showed strong associations with excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. Additional contributing factors included dietary patterns, physical inactivity, sleep disturbances, gestational diabetes, and psychosocial stress. Excessive gestational weight gain was associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and increased long-term obesity risk among mothers and offspring.</p> Conclusion <p>Weight gain among women across the reproductive life course is driven by complex, interrelated biological, behavioral, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors. Effective obesity prevention requires coordinated, life-course public health strategies that integrate preconception care, pregnancy-specific monitoring and counseling, postpartum support, and long-term weight management interventions. Multi-level approaches spanning individual behavior change, healthcare systems, community programs, and policy action are essential to improve maternal and child health outcomes and to interrupt intergenerational cycles of obesity.</p>

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Determinants of weight gain and public health strategies for obesity prevention across the reproductive life course in women based on United States studies

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月3日

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  • Felicity Oluwadarafunmi Oredipe,
  • Felicia Olufunke Ayibiowu,
  • Valentina Toluwalase Adebambo,
  • Oladayo Olaoluwa Onasanya

摘要

Background

Obesity has emerged as a major global public health challenge, with women of reproductive age experiencing disproportionate risk due to progressive and cumulative weight gain across the reproductive life course. Excessive weight gain before conception, during pregnancy, and postpartum is associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean delivery, postpartum weight retention, and long-term cardiometabolic disease. Addressing obesity across this critical life course requires strategic, evidence-informed public health approaches.

Objective

To synthesize existing from U.S.-based studies on determinants of weight gain across the reproductive life course and to examine public health interventions for obesity prevention and healthy weight management before, during, and after pregnancy.

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify studies examining weight gain and associated risk factors among women of childbearing age. Studies conducted in the United States were included in the final synthesis to ensure contextual consistency in healthcare systems and maternal care practices. Eligible studies were narratively synthesized due to methodological heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and outcome measures.

Results

A total of 6 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Pre-pregnancy body mass index consistently showed strong associations with excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. Additional contributing factors included dietary patterns, physical inactivity, sleep disturbances, gestational diabetes, and psychosocial stress. Excessive gestational weight gain was associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and increased long-term obesity risk among mothers and offspring.

Conclusion

Weight gain among women across the reproductive life course is driven by complex, interrelated biological, behavioral, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors. Effective obesity prevention requires coordinated, life-course public health strategies that integrate preconception care, pregnancy-specific monitoring and counseling, postpartum support, and long-term weight management interventions. Multi-level approaches spanning individual behavior change, healthcare systems, community programs, and policy action are essential to improve maternal and child health outcomes and to interrupt intergenerational cycles of obesity.