Question

An overweight/obese woman may safely gain slightly less weight than a woman of recommended weight during pregnancy because:

Option 1: She has more stored energy to support the pregnancy.
Option 2: She is at increased risk of pregnancy complications.
Option 3: She is more likely to have a large baby.
Option 4: All of the above

Answer 1

An overweight/obese woman may safely gain slightly less weight than a woman of recommended weight during pregnancy because she has more stored energy to support the pregnancy, is at increased risk of pregnancy complications, and is more likely to have a large baby.

Step-by-step explanation:

An overweight/obese woman may safely gain slightly less weight than a woman of recommended weight during pregnancy because:

1. She has more stored energy to support the pregnancy. When a woman is overweight or obese, she already has excess stored energy in the form of body fat. Therefore, she doesn't need to gain as much weight during pregnancy because her body can use the stored energy to support the growing fetus.
2. She is at increased risk of pregnancy complications. Being overweight or obese during pregnancy increases the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia. Gaining less weight can help reduce these risks.
3. She is more likely to have a large baby. Research has shown that mothers who are overweight or obese are more likely to have larger babies, which can increase the risk of complications during delivery. Gaining slightly less weight during pregnancy can help reduce the likelihood of having a large baby.

In summary, all of the above options are correct. An overweight/obese woman may safely gain slightly less weight during pregnancy due to the reasons mentioned above.