• Gestational weight gain is related with socioeconomic status, anxiety score, pre-pregnancy BMI, and parity among Postpartum Women Attending Comprehensive Health Centers Affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences, 2021–2023.
  • Elham Ghanbarzade,1,* Dr Behnood Abbasi,2
    1. electronic health and statistics surveillance research center, SR.C, Islamic azad university
    2. electronic health and statistics surveillance research center, SR.C, Islamic azad university


  • Introduction: Appropriate gestational weight gain directly affects the health of both mother and fetus during pregnancy, immediately after delivery, and even in the long term. Inadequate or excessive weight gain is a common concern among pregnant women. Insufficient maternal weight gain may lead to preterm delivery, low birth weight (LBW), and increased risk of neonatal hospitalization. On the other hand, excessive weight gain is associated with complications such as cesarean delivery, postpartum weight retention in the short or long term, increased risk of overweight, early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding, macrosomia, childhood overweight at age three, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes
  • Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 pregnant women attending comprehensive health centers affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences. Data were extracted from the SINA system and a researcher-developed questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, anxiety, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, and other health-related factors. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 22). Chi-square and t-tests were applied for group comparisons, while multiple regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of gestational weight gain. A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  • Results: he analysis revealed that pre-pregnancy BMI, socioeconomic status, maternal education, anxiety, and parity were significantly associated with gestational weight gain (p < 0.05). Overweight or obese women before pregnancy were more likely to experience inadequate or excessive weight gain. Lower socioeconomic status and higher levels of anxiety were linked to insufficient weight gain, while higher education and primiparity were associated with excessive weight gain. No significant associations were observed for infant sex and maternal sleep duration.
  • Conclusion: This study highlights the important role of non-nutritional factors—such as socioeconomic status, anxiety, pre-pregnancy BMI, education, and parity—in determining gestational weight gain. Since these factors have long-term implications for both mother and child, addressing and modifying them should be considered a priority to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
  • Keywords: Gestational weight gain, socioeconomic status, Pregnancy, anxiety