Determinants of Gestational Weight Gain in Obese Pregnant Women (MomEE)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Are pregnant
• Have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30kg/m2
• Are 18-40 years old
• Medically cleared for participation by primary care obstetrician
• Medically cleared for participant by Medical Investigator
• Willingness to allow the study access to information in the participant's medical record
• Willingness to be notified of incidental findings from study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

Clinical

• Hypertension (i.e. systolic blood pressure (SBP) >160 mmHg & diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >110 mmHg)*
• Diagnosis of diabetes prior to pregnancy
• Hb A1c ≥6.5 %*
• Implanted metal objects that render MRI unsafe
• HIV or AIDS (self-reported)
• Severe anemia (hemoglobin <8g/dL and/or hematocrit <24%)** Psychological
• History or current psychotic disorder or diagnosis of a current major depressive episode or bipolar disorder
• Past history of anorexia or bulimia by medical history or patient report (binge eating disorder is not an exclusion) or current eating disorder
• Actively suicidal defined as a value ≥2 on the Beck Depression Index (BDI-II) question 9* Medications
• Current use of one or more of the following medications: metformin, systemic steroids, antipsychotic agents (e.g., Abilify, Haldol, Risperdal, Seroquel, Zyprexa), anti-seizure medications or mood stabilizers that would be expected to have a significant impact on body weight (e.g., Depakote, Lamictal, Lithium, Neurontin, Tegretol, Topamax, Keppra), medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) including amphetamines and methylphenidate
• Continued use of weight loss medication including over the counter (OTC) and dietary supplements for weight loss (e.g., Adipex, Suprenza, Tenuate, Xenical, Alli, conjugated linoleic acid, Hoodia, Green tea extract, Guar gum, HydroxyCut, Sensa, Corti-slim, Chromium, chitosan, Bitter orange) Other Exclusion Criteria
• Recent history of or currently smoking, drinking alcohol or abusing drugs (prescription or recreational)
• Plans to move out of the study area within the next 2 years or plans to be out of the study area for more than 4 weeks in the next 12 months
• Planned termination of pregnancy
• Unwillingness to avoid pregnancy for 12 months following delivery
• Claustrophobia
• Prior or planned (within 1 year of expected delivery) bariatric surgery
• Participant's unwillingness or inability to commit to a 1 year follow-up