biostudies-literatureHutcheon JANICHD NIH HHSCIHR701-7https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4095666biostudies-literatureUnknown100(2)<h4>Background</h4>Current approaches for establishing public health guidelines on the recommended range of weight gain in pregnancy are subjective and nonsystematic.<h4>Objective</h4>In this article, we outline how decision-making on gestational weight-gain guidelines could be aided by quantitative approaches used in noninferiority trials.<h4>Design</h4>We reviewed the theoretical application of noninferiority margins to pregnancy weight-gain guidelines. A worked example illustrated the selection of the recommended range of pregnancy weight gain in women who delivered at the Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, in 2003-2010 by identifying weight-gain z scores in which risk of unplanned cesarean delivery, preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age infant, and large-for-gestational-age infaThe American journal of clinical nutritionA systematic approach for establishing the range of recommended weight gain in pregnancy.PMC4095666R01 HD072008Hutcheon JABodnar LMfalseA systematic approach for establishing the range of recommended weight gain in pregnancy.<h4>Background</h4>Current approaches for establishing public health guidelines on the recommended range of weight gain in pregnancy are subjective and nonsystematic.<h4>Objective</h4>In this article, we outline how decision-making on gestational weight-gain guidelines could be aided by quantitative approaches used in noninferiority trials.<h4>Design</h4>We reviewed the theoretical application of noninferiority margins to pregnancy weight-gain guidelines. A worked example illustrated the selection of the recommended range of pregnancy weight gain in women who delivered at the Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, in 2003-2010 by identifying weight-gain z scores in which risk of unplanned cesarean delivery, preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age infant, and large-for-gestational-age infa2014-01-01T00:00:00Z2014 Aug2025-05-29T20:19:12.428Z2025-05-29T20:19:12.428ZS-EPMC40956662496530510.3945/ajcn.114.085258