NICE has issued public health guidance on weight management before, during and after pregnancy. This guidance is for NHS and other commissioners, managers and professionals who have a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for:

• women who are pregnant or who are planning a pregnancy

• mothers who have had a baby in the last 2 years.

It is particularly aimed at: GPs, obstetricians, midwives, health visitors, dietitians, community pharmacists and all those working in antenatal and postnatal services and children’s centres.

In this guidance the term ‘weight management’ involves:

• assessing and monitoring body weight

• preventing someone from becoming overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25–29.9 kg/m²) or obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m²)

• helping someone to achieve and maintain a healthy weight by eating healthily and being physically active.

The six recommendations are based on approaches that have been proven to be effective for the whole population. They include advice on:

• How to help women with a BMI of 30 or more to lose weight before and after pregnancy – and how to help them eat healthily and keep physically active during pregnancy.

• How to help all pregnant women eat healthily and keep physically active.

• The role of community-based services.

• The professional skills needed to achieve the above.