Excessive gestational weight gain in the Brazilian Unified Health System

Objective: To check the prevalence and factors associated with excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a municipality in the countryside of southern Brazil, with 462 women who had a birth financed by the Brazilian Unified Health System. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, obstetric, eating habits and physical activity data were collected. Bivariate (chi-square) and multiple statistical analysis were performed using a logistic regression model. Results: The study was predominantly carried out by women who were married/in a stable relationship, over 25 years of age and from economic classes C, D or E. The prevalence of excessive weight gain during pregnancy was 38.3%. Women with per capita income below one minimum wage had a lower frequency of excessive weight gain during pregnancy (p=0.020). The pregnant women who reported planning their pregnancy (p=0.048), who were overweight pre-pregnancy (p <0.001), who increased their food intake (p <0.001) and who consumed industrialized products more than three times a week (p=0.002) were those that presented a higher frequency of excessive weight gain. Conclusion: The prevalence of gain of excessive gestational weight was 38.3% and was associated with higher per capita income, planned pregnancy, pre-gestational excess weight, increased food intake and higher weekly frequency of consumption of industrialized products.