Impact of Parity on Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iranian Women

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze whether or not parity influenced the prevalence of obesity in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on characteristics of urban women regarding parity. A total of 1,620 women aged 45-63 years were selected using cluster sampling. A face-to-face household interview was conducted by trained, skillful personnel. A risk factor questionnaire was used to obtain information on reproductive history and sociodemographic factors. Statistical associations between parity and obesity using logistic regression were then investigated. Results: The mean BMI was 29.1 ± 5.1, and 96.8% of the sample population were parous, with a median of 4 births. Of the total women enrolled, 216 (13.3%) had <3 parities, while 1,404 (86.7%) had ≥3 parities. The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30) was 38.3%, diagnosed at a mean age of 51.4 ± 5.2 years. After adjustment for a range of potential confounders (age, marital status, employment, education, smoking status, abortion history, savings situation and menopausal status), women with ≥3 parities were at higher risk of being obese (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.24-2.45; p = 0.001). Conclusion: A positive association was observed between the number of parities and obesity. The findings of this study suggest that the BMI is associated with high parity in Babolian women. Health policymakers should work with health providers to develop appropriate postpartum weight loss interventions.

Change in nutritional status among women of childbearing age in India (1998–2016)

“…In line with previous findings, women with higher parity were found to be more likely to have overweight and obesity and less likely to have underweight, implying a beneficial effect of motherhood against underweight. [27][28][29] This finding also underscores the impor- The findings on the association between overnutrition and age, 30,31 residency, 16 education, 31,32 religion 33 and wealth status [31][32][33] are in line with previous studies. 34 Another review of NFHS reported that prevalence of obesity increased from 10.6% to 12.6% during the same period.…”

Effect of Maternal Age at Childbirth on Obesity in Postmenopausal Women

“…Most studies show that high parity is associated with weight gain and a higher risk of obesity or overweight. 18 – 20 The mechanisms underlying the association between obesity and high parity are not known, but some evidence suggests that high maternal glucose, free fatty acid, and amino acid concentration may play a role in weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention, thereby increasing the risk of obesity in later life. 21 , 22 Our results support an association between parity and obesity as well.…”

Comparison of Ghrelin Hormone Among Pregnant Sudanese Women

“…The BMI in multiparty group within this study showed insignificant effect in the mean level of ghrelin hormone (p value > 0.05); nevertheless, previous studies were showed that multi parity being a risk factor for obesity in later life either before or after menopause and definitely real association between the number of parities and obesity was noticed. [21] The delivery type of multi parity women in this study showed significant alteration in the mean level of ghrelin hormone, in which the maximum value was in the pregnant women delivered by caesarean section, and the minimum value where in the pregnant women delivered by a normal term. This result is opposite to the report of Abel Hakeem et al [22] who concluded that delivery mode will not affect the cord ghrelin levels.…”