Gaining weight during pregnancy is inevitable, as it is also necessary. However, it is important to know what amount of weight gain is acceptable during pregnancy so that you do not put on any extra pounds, which will not only be difficult to shed after childbirth but may also pose problems during pregnancy and delivery. Not gaining enough weight is not good either, so what would be the ideal weight gain to strive for during pregnancy?

The terms ‘apple-shaped’ and ‘pear-shaped’ have been used loosely for decades but has become more popular in recent years as fad diets try to offer solutions for specific body types. The ‘apple’ and ‘pear’ concept can sometimes be confusing. It should not be confused with somatypes (body types) that characterizes adults into three categories – ectomorphs (thin and delicate), mesomorphs (muscular and stocky) and endomorphs (round and frumpy).  ‘Apple’ and ‘pear’ shapes refers to a person who is overweight or obese and the configuration of the fat distribution. It it important to note though that endomorphs are more likely to gain weight and have a difficult time losing it, while endomorphs are at the other end and have great difficulty putting on the pounds.