Gestational Weight Gain Growth Charts Adapted to Japanese Pregnancies Using a Bayesian Approach in a Longitudinal Study: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study

Original Article

Naho Morisaki, Aurélie Piedvache, Research Center for Environmental and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University">Seiichi Morokuma, Kazushige Nakahara, Masanobu Ogawa, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University">Kiyoko Kato, Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University">Masafumi Sanefuji, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health">Eiji Shibata, Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health">Mayumi Tsuji, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health">Masayuki Shimono, Toshihiro Kawamoto, Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University">Shouichi Ohga, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health">Koichi Kusuhara, the Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group

Author information

Naho Morisaki
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6151-4513
Department of Social Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development
Aurélie Piedvache
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2737-0461
Department of Social Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development
Seiichi Morokuma
Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University
Research Center for Environmental and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Kazushige Nakahara
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Masanobu Ogawa
Research Center for Environmental and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Kiyoko Kato
Research Center for Environmental and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Masafumi Sanefuji
Research Center for Environmental and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Eiji Shibata
Japan Environment and Children’s Study, UOEH Subunit Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
Mayumi Tsuji
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9579-4418
Japan Environment and Children’s Study, UOEH Subunit Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
Masayuki Shimono
Japan Environment and Children’s Study, UOEH Subunit Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
Toshihiro Kawamoto
Japan Environment and Children’s Study, UOEH Subunit Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
Shouichi Ohga
Research Center for Environmental and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Koichi Kusuhara
Japan Environment and Children’s Study, UOEH Subunit Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
the Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group

Keywords: Bayesian, curves, charts, pregnancy weight, gestational weight gain

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
Supplementary material

2023 Volume 33 Issue 5 Pages 217-226

DOI https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20210049

Browse “Advance online publication” version

Details

Abstract

Background: Tracking gestational weight gain (GWG) during pregnancy makes it possible to optimize pregnancy outcomes, and GWG growth curves are well suitable for this purpose. The GWG guidelines for Japanese were revised in 2021. However, currently, there are no GWG growth curves to guide women on how to gain weight to meet these guidelines.

Methods: Using data on 96,631 live births from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), we created descriptive GWG percentile curves estimating the trajectory of GWG required to meet the GWG guidelines stratified by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). For both analyses, Bayesian mixed models with restricted cubic splines adjusted for maternal characteristics were used.

Results: GWG curves substantially differed by pre-pregnancy BMI and were higher among multiparas and those with lower maternal age and with no previous disease. We estimated that underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese women who gain 8.4 to 11.1 kg, 6.4 to 9.1 kg, 3.8 to 6.5 kg, and <1.9 kg at 30 weeks of gestation are on the trajectory to reach the new guidelines at 40 weeks of gestation.

Conclusion: We provide GWG percentiles curves for Japanese women, as well as GWG trajectory curves to meet the new GWG recommendations. These results may help pregnant women monitor weight during pregnancy.

Corresponding author

Version information

Funder information

1.Fund name: Ministry of the Environment

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