Abstract
Background/objectiveTo investigate the longitudinal development of maternal body weight and analyze the influence of obesity on obstetrics during more than two decades in Germany.Subjects/methodsData collected from the Federal state of Schleswig-Holstein (German Perinatal Survey) were analyzed with regard to the dynamics of maternal anthropometric variables (body weight, BMI) between 1995–7 and 2004–17. In total 335,511 mothers substantiated the presented study-collective. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY.ResultsMaternal BMI advanced significantly over the study period. Among a rise in mean periconceptional body weight (67.6–72.0 kg), the segment of obese women increased disproportionately (in average 9.4–19.2%). Despite the observed trend to late giving birth (mean maternal age 1995: 29.3 vs. 30.7 years in 2017), it was not advanced maternal age but parity that influenced the continuous increase in maternal weight (mean maternal body weight 1995–7: primi- bi-, multiparae 67.4, 68.3 and 69.0 kg vs. 2004–17: primi- bi-, multiparae 70.0, 71.5 and 73.2 kg respectively).ConclusionObesity is a major problem on health issues in obstetrics. Advancing maternal BMI, increasing mother’s age and derived prenatal risks considerably complicate pregnancy and delivery. It has to be emphasized that its consequences do not end with delivery or childbed, but represent a livelong burden to the mother and their offspring. Hence, multimodal strategies to reduce/control periconceptional body weight are mandatory.
Highlights
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES In countries of high per capita income, societies are subject to rapid socioeconomic change
Within the overweight category according to a BMIclassification (WHO) [23], a further division into four weight-groups is to be distinguished: pre-obesity (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2), obesity I° (BMI 30.0–34.9 kg/m2) obesity II° (BMI 35.0–39.9 kg/m2) and obesity III° (BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2) [25, 26]
There is a significant increase in prevalence of obesity I°–III° from 9.4% (2201/23416) to 19.2% (3890/20260) (p < 0.001) going along with an inversely decreasing prevalence of normal periconceptional Body Mass Index (BMI) from 65.3% (15,291/23,416) in 1995 to 52.2% (10,576/20,260) in 2017 respectively (Fig. 2)
Summary
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES In countries of high per capita income, societies are subject to rapid socioeconomic change. From 1956 to 1975, the women’s average body length has increased by 10 cm. This effect has been stagnating ever since. The prevalence of overweight and obesity has continuously increased over the past decades and has reached the significance of a pandemic health problem. This development does not exclude pregnant women and mothers. A body weight loss of 5–10% before pregnancy has a strongly positive effect on obese women. Obesity is rampant pandemic and no subpopulations are excluded from the widespread and continuous increase of body weight in society. Within the overweight category according to a BMIclassification (WHO) [23], a further division into four weight-groups is to be distinguished: pre-obesity (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2), obesity I° (BMI 30.0–34.9 kg/m2) obesity II° (BMI 35.0–39.9 kg/m2) and obesity III° (BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2) [25, 26]
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