How does gestational weight gain influence short‐ and long‐term postpartum weight retention? An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis

Summary This systematic review and meta‐analysis provide an update of an earlier meta‐analysis examining the impact of gestational weight gain (GWG) on postpartum weight retention (PPWR). Thirty‐four observational studies were included, and results from 18 studies were combined in meta‐analyses. We found that women with excessive GWG retained an additional 2.98 kg (95% CI: 0.59, 5.37 kg, I 2 = 91%) at 0.5 years, 1.89 kg (95% CI: 0.90, 2.88 kg, I 2 = 61%) at > 0.5–1 year and 2.89 kg (95% CI: 1.74, 4.04 kg, I 2 = 0%) at 2–4 years, compared to women who met the National Academy of Medicine GWG recommendations. Moreover, synthesis of confounder‐adjusted regression coefficients showed that each 1 kg increase of GWG corresponded to 0.62 kg (95% CI: 0.22, 1.02 kg, I 2 = 96%) additional PPWR at 6–9 months, 0.48 kg (95% CI: 0.14, 0.81 kg, I 2 = 93%) at 1–3 years, and 0.31 kg (95% CI: −0.24, 0.86 kg, I 2 = 89%) at 5–7 years postpartum. Findings suggest that higher GWG contributes to increased maternal body weight in the short‐ and long‐term after childbirth, independent of prepregnancy body mass index. The heterogeneity of reported data and methodological differences across studies complicate the ability to synthesize data and interpret findings.