Validation of a Strict Obesity Definition Proposed for Asians to Predict Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Korean Pregnant Women
10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e281
- Author:
Seo-Yeon KIM
1
;
Soo-young OH
;
Ji-Hee SUNG
;
Suk-Joo CHOI
;
Cheong-Rae ROH
;
Seung Mi LEE
;
Jong Kwan JUN
;
Mi-Young LEE
;
JoonHo LEE
;
Soo Hyun KIM
;
Dong Hyun CHA
;
You Jung HAN
;
Min Hyoung KIM
;
Geum Joon CHO
;
Han-Sung KWON
;
Byoung Jae KIM
;
Mi Hye PARK
;
Hee Young CHO
;
Hyun Sun KO
;
Jae-Yoon SHIM
;
Hyun Mee RYU
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2021;36(44):e281-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:People are generally considered overweight and obese if their body mass index (BMI) is above 25 kg/m 2 and 30.0 kg/m 2 , respectively. The World Health Organization proposed stricter criteria for Asians (≥ 23 kg/m2 : overweight, ≥ 25 kg/m2 : obese). We aimed to verify whether this criteria could predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in Korean women.
Methods:We included 7,547 Korean women from 12 institutions enrolled between June 2016 and October 2018. Women with no pre-pregnancy BMI data, not Korean, or lost to followup were excluded, leaving 6,331. The subjects were categorized into underweight, normal, overweight, class I obesity, and class II/III obesity based on a pre-pregnancy BMI of < 18.5, 18.5–22.9, 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 , respectively.
Results:Overall, 13.4%, 63.0%, 11.8%, 9.1%, and 2.6% of women were underweight, normal, and overweight and had class I obesity and class II/III obesity, respectively. In the multivariable analysis adjusted for maternal age, a higher BMI significantly increased the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery caused by maternal-fetal indications, cesarean section, large for gestational age, and neonatal intensive care unit admission.
Conclusion:Adverse pregnancy outcomes started to increase in those with a pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 23.0 kg/m2 after adjusting for maternal age. The modified obesity criteria could help predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in Koreans.
