Global Obesity and the Effect on Women's Health

Abstract

The rates of obesity are increasing in all areas of the world. The pattern of diseases in many areas of the world is shifting rapidly to diseases that are chronic and noncommunicable. These changes are occurring so rapidly that existing health care infrastructure in many parts of the world are likely to be stressed. Many aspects of women's health will be worsened as they become more obese. Coordinated efforts to reverse the obesity trend are being made and individuals and teams working within women's health globally should coordinate with existing efforts to provide data and consistent messages.

Antenatal Corticosteroids in the Management of Preterm Birth: Are We Back Where We Started?

“…23 Obesity is an independent risk factor for many different adverse obstetric outcomes, although most studies have not found a strong association between obesity and spontaneous preterm delivery. 24,25 Still, with the high prevalence of obesity, the need for administration of antenatal corticosteroids to an obese patient is a common occurrence in obstetrical practice.…”

Postpartum Weight Retention Risk Factors and Relationship to Obesity at 1 Year

“…(2,3,4,5,6,7) Excess weight increases maternal risk of coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, hypertension, and some cancers including breast and colon. (8)…”

Effects on postpartum weight retention after antenatal lifestyle intervention – a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

“…Female obesity is associated with reproductive challenges, such as reduced fertility and increased maternal and fetal risks during pregnancy . Obesity also increases women's future risk of related diseases such as: ischemic stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, hypertension, coronary disease, and various cancers, including cancer of the breast and colon .…”