DISCUSSION
Our program of intensive counseling regarding appropriate dietary and lifestyle habits during pregnancy did reduce weight gain in comparison with a control population receiving routine prenatal care. However, the intervention did not result in a significant increase in adherence to IOM guidelines. Nevertheless, we feel that any weight loss achieved by our intervention could result in a decrease in antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum complications. Furthermore, reduced pregnancy weight gain should result in a reduction in postpartum weight retention and obesity in the nonpregnant state, which should reduce the overall burden of obesity-related diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.