A population-based study of overweight and obesity in expectant parents: socio-demographic patterns and within-couple associations

Abstract

BackgroundOverweight and obesity in pregnancy increase the risk of several adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, both mothers’ and fathers’ health play an important role for long-term health outcomes in offspring. While aspects of health and lifestyle of pregnant women have been reported, the health of expectant fathers and correlations of health variables within couples have received less attention. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and socio-demographic patterns of overweight and obesity in Swedish expectant parents, and to assess within-couple associations.MethodsThis population-based, cross-sectional study investigated self-reported data from 4352 pregnant women and 3949 expectant fathers, comprising 3356 identified couples. Data were collected in antenatal care clinics between January 2008 and December 2011. Descriptive, correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsThe self-reported prevalence of overweight (BMI 25.0-29.99) and obesity (BMI ≥30.0) was 29% among women (pre-pregnancy) and 53% among expectant fathers. In a majority of couples (62%), at least one partner was overweight or obese. The odds of being overweight or obese increased relative to partner’s overweight or obesity, and women’s odds of being obese were more than six times higher if their partners were also obese in comparison with women whose partners were of normal weight (OR 6.2, CI 4.2-9.3). A socio-demographic gradient was found in both genders in relation to education, occupation and area of residence, with higher odds of being obese further down the social ladder. The cumulative influence of these factors showed a substantial increase in the odds of obesity for the least compared to the most privileged (OR 6.5, CI 3.6-11.8).ConclusionsThe prevalence of overweight and obesity in expectant parents was high, with a clear social gradient, and a minority of couples reported both partners with a healthy weight at the onset of pregnancy. Partner influence on health and health behaviours, and the role both mothers and fathers play in health outcomes of their offspring, underpin the need for a more holistic and gender inclusive approach to the delivery of pregnancy care and postnatal and child health services, with active measures employed to involve fathers.

The educational gradient of obesity increases among Swedish pregnant women: a register-based study

“…In line with other Swedish studies [ 12 , 15 , 16 , 29 ], an urban–rural gradient of overweight and obesity was observed among pregnant women independently of educational level. The sample size in the present study allowed for a more detailed categorisation of residential area than the often used urban/rural classification.…”

“…It is well known that individuals with lower education and socioeconomic position are more often overweight or obese in comparison to people with higher education or socioeconomic position. This social inequality is also observed in pregnant women [ 5 , 12 , 13 ]. A steepened social gradient has been implied in the Nordic countries but the evidence for increased social inequality of overweight and obesity is inconsistent [ 14 ].…”

“…An urban–rural gradient of obesity has also been observed [ 12 , 15 , 16 ], with lower risk of obesity in urbanized areas. Among Swedish pregnant women, living in rural areas has been shown to almost double the odds of obesity after taking occupation and education into account [ 12 ]. Also in young Swedish males an urban–rural gradient is observed taking socioeconomic position, intelligence quotient and parental education into account [ 16 ].…”

Detrimental Effects of Higher Body Mass Index and Smoking Habits on Menstrual Cycles in Korean Women

“…[34][35][36][37][38][39] In addition, BMI has been shown to be a critical risk factor for women's reproductive health, such as ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy, and delivery. [40][41][42][43][44] Obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and breast cancer are also factors related to early menarche and menstrual irregularity. [45][46][47] In Korea, height was positively related and waist circumference was inversely related to a menarche age of 16 to 18 years.…”

Socio-demographic inequalities across a range of health status indicators and health behaviours among pregnant women in prenatal primary care: a cross-sectional study

“…Differences in nutritional consumption, physical activity and meal and smoking patterns are likely to be contributing causes. Earlier studies have reported the relationship of education with pre pregnancy obesity [ 29 , 30 ]; reports on socio-demographic factors associated with pre pregnancy underweight are scarce, however, possibly due to underweight not being considered a real health issue in high income countries. Women of mid and low education as well as non-western ethnic minority more frequently reported pains or other complaints, poor mobility and especially back pains, which are similar to the findings of other studies and may be associated with occupation type [ 31 ].…”