Gestational weight gain in sub-Saharan Africa: Estimation based on pseudo-cohort design

Abstract

Background Inadequate or excess gestational weight gain (GWG) leads to multiple undesirable birth outcomes. Yet, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) little is known about the weight gain pattern in pregnancy. The purpose of the study is to estimate the average gestational weight gain (GWG) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and to examined whether there had been recent improvements or not. Methods Based on cross-sectional anthropometric data extracted from multiple Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in SSA, we estimated the average GWG in the region. Pseudo-cohort design was used to reconstruct GWG trajectories based on aggregated data of 110,482 women extracted from 30 recent surveys. Trend in GWG between 2000 and 2015 was determined using the data of 11 SSA countries. Pre-pregnancy weight was estimated based on the weight of non-pregnant women at risk of conception. Results On average, women in SSA gain inadequate weight (6.6 kg, 95% confidence interval, 6.0–7.2) over pregnancy. No meaningful gain was observed in the first trimester; whereas, women in the second and third trimesters put on 2.2 and 3.2 kg, respectively. The highest weight gain (10.5, 8.2–12.9 kg) was observed in Southern African sub-region and the lowest in Western Africa (5.8, 5.0–6.6 kg). The GWG among women who had secondary or above education (9.5, 8.2–10.9 kg) was higher than women with lower education (5.0, 4.3–5.8 kg). Likewise, GWG in women from richest households (9.0, 7.2–10.7 kg) was superior to those from poorest households (6.1, 5.3–7.0 kg). The estimated recent (2015–20) mean GWG (6.6, 5.8–7.4 kg) was not significantly different from what had been at beginning of the new millennium (6.7, 5.9–7.5 kg). Conclusion In SSA GWG is extremely low and is not showing improvements.

Plasma concentrations of leptin at mid-pregnancy are associated with gestational weight gain among pregnant women in Tanzania: a prospective cohort study

“…This study was conducted nearly two decades ago, and the prevalences of inadequate and excessive GWG may not accurately reflect the current burdens of suboptimal GWG. However, recent evidence shows that GWG in sub-Saharan Africa is extremely low and is not showing signs of improvements from the beginning of the new millennium [ 58 ]. The associations between biomarkers and GWG is unlikely to be heavily time-dependent, and our findings remain timely for future investigations into biomarkers of GWG.…”

Association between Gestational Weight Gain and Maternal and Birth Outcomes in Northern Ghana

“…Comparing these findings to LMICs may be challenging due to differences in socioeconomic and cultural contexts. To the best of our knowledge, there is limited research available in the context of LMICs, including Ghana [ 24 ]. Previous research conducted in Ghana provided limited insights into the connection between inadequate and excessive weight gain and their impact on both maternal and birth outcomes [ 22 , 25 ].…”

Association between ultra-processed food consumption, sociodemographic characteristics, malnutrition and obesity among urban school-aged children in Lilongwe, Malawi: a cross-sectional study

“…6 Sociodemographic factors such as income, education and urbanisation play a role. 8–10 However, the lack of data on UPF consumption in Malawi hinders efforts to address this issue, especially in urban areas like Lilongwe. Here, poverty and limited knowledge about safe food processing methods increase the likelihood of children consuming unhealthy, highly processed foods.…”