Maternal obesity and its determinants: A neglected issue?
- Author:
Rohana Abdul Jalil
;
Nurul Farehah Shahrir
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
maternal obesity;
obesity in pregnancy;
determinants;
modifiable associated factors;
non-modifiable associated factors
- From:Malaysian Family Physician
2020;15(2):34-42
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Maternal obesity is a global public health concern that affects every aspect of maternity care. It affects
the short-term and long-term health of the mother and her offspring. Obese pregnant mothers are at
an increased risk of developing complications during antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods.
Maternal complications include gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorder in pregnancy,
pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, increased rate of cesarean delivery, pulmonary embolism, and maternal
mortality; fetal complications include congenital malformation, stillbirth, and macrosomia. Moreover,
both mother and infant are at an increased risk of developing subsequent non-communicable
diseases and cardiovascular problems later in life. Several factors are associated with the likelihood
of maternal obesity, including sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric characteristics, knowledge,
and perception of health-promoting behavior. Gaining a sound understanding of these factors is vital
to reaching the targets of Sustainable Developmental Goal 3—to reduce global maternal mortality
and end preventable deaths of children under 5 years of age—by 2030. It is essential to identify
pregnant women who are at risk of maternal obesity in order to plan and implement effective and
timely interventions for optimal pregnancy outcomes. Importantly, maternal obesity as a significant
pregnancy risk factor is largely modifiable.
- Full text:2.2019my0081.pdf
