Is pregnancy a reason for weight gain? A study conducted in the U.K. suggests that increasing obesity rates could lead to half of all pregnant women in the UK being above their ideal weight by 2010, with one-fifth being obese.
Are North American mothers any different? Probably not. Many people believe that pregnancy gives them a free pass to eat whatever they want, assuming they will gain weight regardless.
Women living in deprived areas are at the highest risk and are twice as likely to be obese at the start of their pregnancy.
According to a team from Teesside, urgent action is necessary to address this “serious public health time bomb.” They state that this is a problem that has not been fully recognized until now.
Researchers from the North East Public Health Observatory studied nearly 37,000 women at a local maternity unit over 15 years.
They found that maternal obesity had increased from 9.9% in 1990 to 16% in 2004.
If this trend continues, by 2010, 22% of pregnant women will be obese, putting a strain on maternity services, warn researcher Nicola Heslehurst and colleagues.
Being overweight during pregnancy poses significant health risks for both the mother and the baby.
Obese pregnant women have a higher likelihood of miscarriage, experiencing pre-eclampsia, dangerous blood clots, or needing a Cesarean section. Additionally, their babies are likely to be larger and face a higher risk of death.
According to the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal and Child Health, obesity is a factor in 35% of maternal deaths.
Professor John Wilkinson, director of the North East Public Health Observatory, states that maternal obesity has been a slowly-growing issue that needed evidence to address.
Professor Carolyn Summerbell, who leads the Centre for Food, Physical Activity, and Obesity Research at the University of Teesside, emphasizes the importance of future research programs aimed at preventing this trend from continuing.
Professor Phil Steer, editor-in-chief of the BJOG journal, agrees that this is a serious public health issue that causes significant concern for healthcare professionals. He suggests that it is crucial to identify at-risk groups and plan services effectively in light of the problem.
Gail Johnson of the Royal College of Midwives encourages women concerned about weight gain to speak with their midwife, seek available help and advice, and take the issue seriously, particularly as it can make achieving health goals more challenging for socially excluded groups.
Pregnancy Weight Gain Guide
- If you are normal weight before pregnancy: Gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy.
- If you are overweight before pregnancy: Gain 15 to 25 pounds during pregnancy.
- If you are underweight before pregnancy: Gain 28 to 40 pounds during pregnancy (depending on your pre-pregnancy weight)
SOURCE:BBC, MarchofDimes
