Barriers to addressing overweight and obesity before conception

Callaway, Leonie K.; O'Callaghan, MJ; McIntyre, H. David

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02876.x

Cited by 40 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…These women were either attending a public antenatal "first visit" clinic (n = 255), or undergoing a routine private ultrasound evaluation prior to 20 weeks gestation (n = 157)[44]. 61.9% of study participants were cared for in the public sector, similar to previously published proportions from Queensland [45].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 67%

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Overweight and obesity knowledge prior to pregnancy: a survey study

Nitert

Foxcroft

Lust

et al. 2011

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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BackgroundOverweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for pregnancy complications. Knowledge about increased risks in overweight and obese women could contribute to successful prevention strategies and the aim of this study is to assess current levels of knowledge in a pregnant population.MethodsCross sectional survey of 412 consecutive unselected women in early pregnancy in Brisbane, Australia: 255 public women attending their first antenatal clinic visit and 157 women at private maternal fetal medicine clinics undergoing a routine ultrasound evaluation prior to 20 weeks gestation. The cohort was stratified according to pre pregnancy BMI (< 25.0 or ≥ 25.0). The main outcome measure was knowledge regarding the risks of overweight and obesity in pregnancy.ResultsOver 75% of respondents identified that obese women have an increased risk of overall complications, including gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy compared to women of normal weight. More than 60% of women asserted that obesity would increase the risk of caesarean section and less than half identified an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Women were less likely to know about neonatal complications (19.7% did not know about the effect of obesity on these) than maternal complications (7.4%). Knowledge was similar amongst women recruited at the public hospital and those recruited whilst attending for an ultrasound scan at a private clinic. For most areas they were also similar between women of lower and higher BMI, but women with BMI < 25.0 were less likely to know that obesity was associated with increased rate of Caesarean section than those with higher BMI (16.8% versus 4.5%, P < 0.001). Higher educational status was associated with more knowledge of the risks of overweight and obesity in pregnancy.ConclusionsMany women correctly identify that overweight and obesity increases the overall risk of complications of pregnancy and childbirth. The increased risks of maternal complications associated with being obese are better known than the increased risk of neonatal complications. Maternal education status is a main determinant of the extent of knowledge and this should be considered when designing education campaigns.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…We developed a questionnaire and surveyed 412 consecutive unselected women in early pregnancy as previously reported [43]. These women were either attending a public antenatal "first visit" clinic (n = 255), or undergoing a routine private ultrasound evaluation prior to 20 weeks gestation (n = 157)[44].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overweight and obesity knowledge prior to pregnancy: a survey study

Nitert

Foxcroft

Lust

et al. 2011

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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show abstract

“…Knowledge about risks has been shown to be lower among women with shorter education [67], precisely the groups where overweight and obesity are more common [43,59-61]. It is also common that women do not recognise themselves as being overweight or obese [68], and it seems reasonable to interpret that this may also contribute to an underestimation of associated risks. Theories on health behaviour change suggest awareness of negative outcomes to be a crucial factor in individuals’ decisions to adapt healthier behaviours [69].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2013

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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.

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“…However, despite the known risks of obesity on pregnancy, women who do seek preconception care are often not advised appropriately of the consequences of pre-conception obesity. One study found that only 23% of overweight women and 36% of obese women who visited a doctor prior to conceiving were advised to lose weight (35). Of women who were advised to lose weight prior to conception, this advice was most likely to come from their doctor as opposed to their mother, partner or a friend (35), therefore medical providers must take advantage of this opportunity for education and intervention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of Obesity and Its Impact on Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Urban Women

et al. 2012

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This prospective survey study assessed the knowledge of reproductive outcomes that are affected by obesity among women in an urban community. A total of 207 women attending a community fair on the south side of Chicago participated in the study. A survey assessing knowledge of BMI and of the effects of obesity on general, cardiometabolic and reproductive health outcomes was administered. Subjects ranged in age from 18 to 70 years (mean ± SD, 48.6 ± 12.9 years) and ranged in BMI from 17.3 to 52.1 kg/m2 (mean ± SD, 31.2 ± 6.7 kg/m2). The following percentages of women were aware that obesity increases the risk of miscarriage (37.5%), irregular periods (35.8%), infertility (33.9%), cesarean section (30.8%), breast cancer (28.0%), birth defects (23.7%), stillbirth (14.1%), and endometrial cancer (18.1%). This study found that while women in an urban community are aware of the cardiometabolic risks associated with obesity, they demonstrate limited knowledge of the effects of obesity on reproductive outcomes. Public education is needed to increase knowledge and awareness of the reproductive consequences of obesity. Women of reproductive age may be uniquely responsive to obesity education and weight loss intervention.

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Barriers to addressing overweight and obesity before conception

Cited by 40 publications

References 24 publications

Overweight and obesity knowledge prior to pregnancy: a survey study

Overweight and obesity knowledge prior to pregnancy: a survey study

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

Knowledge of Obesity and Its Impact on Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Urban Women

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