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Stress during pregnancy, gestational weight gain, and body mass index

Journal of Perinatology volume 38, pages 1429–1430 (2018)Cite this article

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We read with interest the article by Kominiarek et al. [1] designed to evaluate the association between prenatal stress by Life Experiences Survey (LES) [2] and gestational weight gain (GWG), defined according to IOM [3]. Stress appears to be associated with GWG and stress reduction interventions during pregnancy may be a novel way to promote appropriate GWG, with the potential to influence the obesity epidemic across generations.

These findings are clinically relevant because it highlights a consistent group of pregnant women that may benefit from stress reduction interventions, with the potential to promote appropriate GWG and, meeting their GWG goals, to reduce gestational obesity development. However, we feel it is also necessary to bring to attention some considerations emerging from the method used for this original analysis.

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References

  1. Kominiarek MA, Grobman W, Adam E, Buss C, Culhane J, Entringer S. et al. Stress during pregnancy and gestational weight gain. J Perinatol. 2018;38:462–467.

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  2. Sarason IG, Johnson JH, Siegel JM. Assessing the impact of life changes: development of the life experiences survey. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1978;46:932–46.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Perinatal Medicine, Policlinico Abano Terme, Abano Terme, Italy

    Vincenzo Zanardo & Arturo Giustardi

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  1. Vincenzo Zanardo
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  2. Arturo Giustardi
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Correspondence to Vincenzo Zanardo.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Zanardo, V., Giustardi, A. Stress during pregnancy, gestational weight gain, and body mass index. J Perinatol 38, 1429–1430 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0196-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0196-6

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