• Kristine Matusiak, Helen L Barrett, Karin Lust, Leonie K Callaway, and Marloes Dekker Nitert.
• Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.
• Nutrition. 2020 Sep 1; 77: 110781.

ObjectivesMaternal obesity increases the risk for adverse infant outcomes; therefore, achieving an optimal body mass index before conception is recommended. Periconceptional maternal weight loss, however, has been associated with adverse outcomes for the fetus, including altered body composition in animal studies. It is not clear whether periconception weight loss alters infant body composition in humans. The aim of this study was to compare body composition in offspring of women who attempted to lose or maintain weight in the periconception period.MethodsWomen who delivered a healthy term infant were grouped according to attempt to lose weight. Infant body composition was determined by air displacement plethysmography and anthropometric measurements.ResultsIn a cohort of 73 women, 27 attempted to lose weight and 46 maintained weight in the periconception period. Infant birth weight, percent body fat, and head and arm circumference were not altered by maternal attempts to lose weight. Infant abdominal circumference was increased in the offspring of women who attempted to lose weight in the periconception period. Infant percent body fat was increased in overweight and obese mothers and in female infants.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that attempts to lose weight in the periconception period do not significantly alter infant body composition. The increase in abdominal circumference may indicate a difference in fat distribution in offspring of women who attempted to lose weight, which may increase their risk for future metabolic and cardiovascular disease.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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