Obesity in Pregnancy

Excerpt

The global prevalence of obesity has significantly increased in the past decades, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has described the phenomenon as a “global epidemic,” with the number of overweight and obese people nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016. Accordingly, the incidence of maternal obesity has also been increasing, and this has become one of the most important health issues in pregnancy. Obesity affects the mother and her offspring and is associated with various complications, including gestational hypertension, diabetes, preeclampsia, premature delivery, and spontaneous abortions.

The fetus can be affected by an increased risk of congenital defects and macrosomia. In recent studies, it has also been shown that obesity in pregnancy can adversely affect the child's health into adulthood. This resultant morbidity and mortality from maternal obesity increases health care costs and poses a threat to public health. Different guidelines for managing obesity in pregnancy have been published, and a comprehensive approach with behavioral lifestyle interventions using diet and exercise is universally recommended.