Variations in resting energy expenditure: impact on gestational weight gain

The change in resting energy expenditure from before conception through late gestation correlated positively with changes in fat-free mass but negatively with fat mass accrual. Women with smaller increases in resting energy expenditure across pregnancy had greater gestational weight gain, specifically more adipose tissue. These data suggest that resting energy expenditure is an important factor in gestational weight gain, particularly excess fat mass accrual. Future lifestyle intervention studies need to consider clinically feasible means of estimating resting energy expenditure and, in response, tailor nutrient intake and composition recommendations. Implementing and testing such interventions would be a novel approach to improve compliance with gestational weight gain guidelines.