BMI & Recommended Pregnancy Weight Gain

Enter prepregnancy age, weight and height. Results are estimates — confirm clinically.

Recommended total pregnancy weight gain (singleton)
  • Underweight (BMI < 18.5): 28–40 lb
  • Normal (BMI 18.5–24.9): 25–35 lb
  • Overweight (BMI 25–29.9): 15–25 lb
  • Obese (BMI ≥ 30): 11–20 lb
For twin pregnancies guidance is higher (e.g., ~37–54 lb for underweight/normal) — adjust clinically.

Formulas

Body Mass Index (BMI) = Weight (kg) / Height (m2)

Estimated energy requirement (EER) [1]

14–18 years of Age
EER = 135.3 − (30.8 × age [y]) + PA × [(10.0 × weight [kg]) + (934 × height [m])] + 25

19 Years and Older
EER = 354 − (6.91 × age [y]) + PA × [(9.36 × weight [kg]) + (726 × height [m])]

Physical Activity Coefficients (PA values) for Use in EER Equations for Adolescents or Adult Women
  14 to 18 years 19 years or older
Sedentary 1 1
Low Active 1.16 1.12
Active 1.31 1.27
Very active 1.56 1.45

EER for twins is as recommended by Goodnight W, et al.[5]

SEE ALSO Nutrition Resources