Report on the fourth meeting of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Gestational Weight Gain (TAG-GWG)

Overview

In 2023, WHO established a multidisciplinary Technical Advisory Group on Gestational Weight Gain (TAG-GWG) to advise on the process of developing GWG standards and optimal ranges. This includes providing advice on the development of a detailed research protocol, which will encompass the definition of study- and individual-level eligibility criteria for determining a sample that is as prescriptive as data and evidence allows, as well as methods and approaches for developing the global GWG standards and optimal ranges.

The Fourth Meeting of the WHO TAG-GWG was convened virtually from 14–15 November 2024. The objectives of the meeting were to discuss TAG-GWG feedback on the GWG Standards Project protocol, provide updates on the data acquisition and harmonization process, introduce the working Group 4 workplan and methods for the definition of weight gain ranges, discuss the GWG Standards Project publication plan, provide a revised timeline and the 2025 workplan and, to introduce next steps for the next TAG-GWG meeting to be held in mid-2025. This report provides a summary of discussions and recommendations emanating from this meeting.