Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Obesity During Pregnancy Over Time

Abstract

Objective: The increasing prevalence of obesity is having an impact on morbidity worldwide. Since young mature women are equally affected by the general increase in weight, the aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity together with associated maternal risk factors, complications during pregnancy, and fetal outcomes in a local cohort for the years 2006 and 2011. Study Design: Maternal and fetal records of women who delivered at the University of W?rzburg, with a 5-year interval (2006 and 2011) between investigations, were retrospectively analyzed. Descriptive statistics included prevalence of obesity, maternal weight gain, as well as several complications during pregnancy and fetal characteristics. The association between maternal or fetal complications and extent of maternal obesity was analyzed. Results: Our analysis included 2838 mothers with singleton pregnancies who delivered in 2006 (n?=?1293) or 2011 (n?=?1545) in our department. We found that neither pre-pregnancy body mass index (23.77???4.85 vs. 24.09???5.10?kg/m2, p?=?0.25) nor weight gain (14.41???5.77 vs. 14.78???5.65?kg; p?=?0.09) increased significantly over time. But the majority of all overweight (71?%) or obese (60.4?%) mothers gained more weight than generally recommended. The prevalence of gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia increased significantly and was associated with high pre-pregnancy body mass index, as was delivery by cesarean section. However, obesity was not associated with prolonged pregnancy and did not seem to negatively affect fetal outcome. Conclusion: There is a trend to increasing weight gain during pregnancy, and the majority of mothers, especially those with a high pre-pregnancy body mass index, exceeded the weight gain recommendations. Associated risk factors such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and delivery by cesarean section are increasing.

Rodent vertical sleeve gastrectomy alters maternal immune health and fetoplacental development

“…In addition, obesity results in reduced fertility (22, 26), reduced ovarian reserve (3), and reduced quality/quantity of embryos during in vitro fertilization (IVF) (46). Pregnant obese women have a higher-than-normal risk for preeclampsia (13, 58), gestational diabetes (45, 58), macrosomic births (10, 13, 48) and still births (1, 4, 53). Weight loss prior to pregnancy can lead to improvements in these indices; however, long-term body weight loss is difficult to achieve.…”

Metformin reduces maternal weight gain in obese pregnant women: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of two randomized controlled trials

“…Obese pregnant women are likely to face several complications during pregnancy, such as perinatal loss, preterm birth (PTB), gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders . An increased rate of induction of labour, caesarean section, and perinatal death has also been reported . Furthermore, babies born to obese women have a higher risk of macrosomia, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), congenital anomaly, jaundice, and hypoglycaemia .…”

“…The prevalence of obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of >30 kg/m 2 , has increased significantly in recent decades, becoming more common during pregnancy. [1][2][3] In the United States, more than half of all pregnant women are considered obese, with 8% considered extremely obese. 4 In Europe, the rate of maternal obesity is approximately 20% according to the latest European Perinatal Health Report.…”

“…6 An increased rate of induction of labour, caesarean section, and perinatal death has also been reported. [1][2][3] Furthermore, babies born to obese women have a higher risk of macrosomia, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), congenital anomaly, jaundice, and hypoglycaemia. [1][2][3]6,7 It seems that maternal obesity is also responsible for adverse effects on the longterm health of offspring, including the risk of overweight, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.…”

“…[1][2][3] Furthermore, babies born to obese women have a higher risk of macrosomia, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), congenital anomaly, jaundice, and hypoglycaemia. [1][2][3]6,7 It seems that maternal obesity is also responsible for adverse effects on the longterm health of offspring, including the risk of overweight, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. [8][9][10] Hyperglycaemia and increased insulin resistance are significantly involved in the onset of pregnancy complications in obese women, 11 and the risk of impaired glucose tolerance may differ among pregnancy periods because the degree of insulin resistance changes throughout pregnancy.…”