Basal metabolism during pregnancy: a systematic review

Gestational energy expenditure (EE) is the basis for nutritional counseling and body weight control. The objective of this study was to systematically review the behavior of the basal metabolic rate (BMR), the major component of EE, during non gemelar pregnancy of healthy women. Based on the inclusi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ciência & saude coletiva 2013-02, Vol.18 (2), p.413-430
Main Authors: Sally, Enilce de Oliveira Fonseca, Anjos, Luiz Antonio dos, Wahrlich, Vivian
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Subjects:
Basal Metabolism
Cohort analysis
Female
Humans
Metabolism
Pregnancy
Pregnancy - metabolism
Systematic review
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Summary:Gestational energy expenditure (EE) is the basis for nutritional counseling and body weight control. The objective of this study was to systematically review the behavior of the basal metabolic rate (BMR), the major component of EE, during non gemelar pregnancy of healthy women. Based on the inclusion criteria, 37 articles were identified (24 cohort and 13 cross-sectional studies). Increases in BMR (between 8% and 35%) were observed in most cohort studies and it was related to the duration of follow-up and nutritional status. In the cross-sectionals, the increase in BMR varied from 8% to 28% close to delivery in comparison with the first trimester or post-partum. Lack of information on maternal age, loss of follow-up and short duration of follow-up during the pregnancy were serious limitations in the identified studies. In conclusion, BMR increases during pregnancy, and the increase is more intense after the second trimester. The most reliable data come from the few cohort studies that initiated before pregnancy.
ISSN:1413-8123
1678-4561
DOI:10.1590/S1413-81232013000200013