Perinatal factors relating to changes in maternal body fat in late gestation

Objective:to examine changes in skinfolds in late gestation in healthy women.study design:skinfold measures were performed in 39 women at 30.8 (mean) and 37.7 weeks gestation. fat mass (kg) and sum of three skinfolds were calculated.results:a decrease in skinfold thickness was observed in 21 women (−3.1±2.1 mm) in late gestation, whereas 18 women had an increase (4.3±3.2 mm), p<0.001. the group of women who lost body fat (decrease in skinfold thickness) had a trend toward greater pregravid body mass index (bmi, 25 vs 22 kg/m2, p=0.06), and gained less weight in late gestation (3.0 vs 4.3 kg, p=0.042). on multiple regression, maternal age and gestational weight gain were positively correlated with fat mass accrual, whereas pregravid bmi and dietary fiber were negative determinants of late gestational fat mass.conclusion:increases in maternal fat mass in late gestation were related to maternal age and gestational weight gain, whereas decreases were related to increased pregravid bmi and dietary fiber.