Childhood Adversity Predicts Maternal Pre-Pregnancy BMI but not Gestational Weight Gain.

Introduction: Obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy have lasting implications for both women and infant health. Adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events have been associated with pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain. However, the effect of each has been examined independently and scant work has investigated the effects of both in the same analysis. The current study examined the unique and conjoint effects of adverse childhood experiences and recent stressful life events on women's pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain. Methods: A racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of 176 pregnant women completed questionnaires and anthropometric measurements during the third trimester and two months postpartum. Results: Maternal adverse childhood experiences were uniquely associated with pre-pregnancy BMI (β = 0.21, p =.02), but not gestational weight gain. Recent stressful life events did not uniquely predict pre-pregnancy BMI or gestational weight gain, nor did it explain the association between adverse childhood experiences and pre-pregnancy BMI. Adverse childhood experiences and recent stressful life events did not interact to predict either of the women's weight outcomes. Discussion: Adverse childhood experiences have lasting unique effects on women's pre-pregnancy BMI. Obesity is related to several perinatal health issues for the mother and child, thus understanding the effects of childhood adversity on women's weight outcomes is critical. Routine screening for ACEs among women of childbearing age and pregnant women, paired with referrals and educational resources, can mitigate the deleterious effects of childhood adversity on women and infant health. Significance Statement: What is Already Known on This Subject?: Adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events during pregnancy have lasting detrimental effects on women's health outcomes during and after the perinatal period. Most studies have examined these effects separately, and little is known about the joint effects of each risk factor on women's weight outcomes during the perinatal period. What This Study Adds?: This study demonstrates that above and beyond the effects of recent stressful life events, maternal ACEs were negatively associated with pre-pregnancy BMI. Findings suggest that interventions aimed at mitigating the deleterious effects of ACEs on women's weight outcomes prior to becoming pregnant are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]