Self-reported periconception weight loss attempts do not alter infant body composition

• Published in: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) Los Angeles County, Calif.), 2020-09, Vol.77, p.110781-110781, Article 110781
• Main Authors: Matusiak, Kristine, Barrett, Helen L., Lust, Karin, Callaway, Leonie K., Dekker Nitert, Marloes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Age; Arm circumference; Babies; Birth weight; Body composition; Body fat; Body mass index; Body size; Body weight; Body weight loss; Cardiovascular diseases; Famine; Fetuses; Gastrointestinal surgery; Hospitals; Infant; Infants; Mothers; Obesity; Offspring; Overweight; Periconception; Plethysmography; Pregnancy; Prepregnancy BMI; Sex; Statistical analysis; Weight control; Weight loss; Womens health
• ISSN: 0899-9007; 1873-1244
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2020.110781

•Periconception weight loss adversely affects body composition in animal models.•In women with attempted weight loss, infant birth weight is not altered.•Infant percent body fat and head and arm circumference also are not altered by maternal attempted weight loss.•Infant abdominal circumference was marginally increased with maternal attempted weight loss.•Infant body composition is not altered by periconception weight loss in humans. Maternal obesity increases the risk for adverse infant outcomes; therefore, achieving an optimal body mass index before conception is recommended. Periconceptional maternal weight loss, however, has been associated with adverse outcomes for the fetus, including altered body composition in animal studies. It is not clear whether periconception weight loss alters infant body composition in humans. The aim of this study was to compare body composition in offspring of women who attempted to lose or maintain weight in the periconception period. Women who delivered a healthy term infant were grouped according to attempt to lose weight. Infant body composition was determined by air displacement plethysmography and anthropometric measurements. In a cohort of 73 women, 27 attempted to lose weight and 46 maintained weight in the periconception period. Infant birth weight, percent body fat, and head and arm circumference were not altered by maternal attempts to lose weight. Infant abdominal circumference was increased in the offspring of women who attempted to lose weight in the periconception period. Infant percent body fat was increased in overweight and obese mothers and in female infants. The results of this study showed that attempts to lose weight in the periconception period do not significantly alter infant body composition. The increase in abdominal circumference may indicate a difference in fat distribution in offspring of women who attempted to lose weight, which may increase their risk for future metabolic and cardiovascular disease.