Are you currently pregnant, or are currently trying to get pregnant? If so, then you may find these study results important. Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life at Children’s Hospital Boston and coauthor Dr. Janet Currie found that increasing amounts of maternal weight gain during pregnancy led to the birth of heavier infants, regardless of genetic factors. They found that the risks of giving birth to an infant weighing more than 8.8 pounds was more than double for women who gained more than 52 pounds during pregnancy, compared to women who gained 17-22 pounds during pregnancy. In conclusion, it is highly beneficial to begin obesity prevention efforts during pregnancy.