More understanding is required of the weight trajectory of obese
women during pregnancy. Prospective observational cohort studies
of obese women during pregnancy will provide more data that
explains weight changes for this group, and short and long term
outcomes. Further studies are required to explore the efficacy of the
latest guidance from the Institute of Medicine (Blomberg 2011;
Rasmussen 2009b), especially as this guidance has not stratified
recommendations for weight gain across all obese categories (Artal
2010). Qualitative research will provide more insights into the
weight management strategies utilised by obese women during
pregnancy, especially those who deliberately lose weight.