Weight Women Research Articles

Bacon, Hannah. Feminist theology and contemporary dieting culture: sin, salvation and women's weight loss narratives. x, 346 pp., bibliogr. London: Bloomsbury, 2019. £26.99 (paper)

Journal of the Royal Anthropological InstituteVolume 28, Issue 1 p. 372-373 Book and film reviews Bacon, Hannah . Feminist theology and contemporary dieting culture: sin, salvation and women's weight loss narratives. x, 346 pp., bibliogr. London: Bloomsbury, 2019. £26.99 (paper) Giulia Sciolli, Giulia Sciolli University of CambridgeSearch for more papers by this author Giulia Sciolli, Giulia Sciolli University of CambridgeSearch for more papers by this author First published: 11 February 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.13688Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume28, Issue1March 2022Pages 372-373 RelatedInformation

A Qualitative Assessment of Gender- and Race-Related Stress Among Black Women.

Background: Chronic psychological stress has been associated with several adverse health outcomes, including obesity. Black women report higher levels of psychological stress than White women and carry a disproportionate burden of chronic conditions associated with psychological stress, including obesity. Research also suggests that in addition to generic stressors, Black women also experience race- and gender-related stress. To further explore this, we conducted structured focus groups to examine Black women's perspectives about stress.Materials and Methods: Using the nominal group technique, three sessions (total, n = 33) were conducted exclusively with Black women to solicit responses to the following questions: (1) What are the top sources of stress for women? (2) What are the top stressors specifically for Black women? and (3) How do these stressors affect weight? Using a systematic method, participants ranked responses in order of importance. Responses were compiled and tabulated to identify which statements were viewed as most important by respondents.Results: Mean age and body mass index of participants were 43.0 ± 10.1 years and 35.1 ± 7.9 kg/m2, respectively. The top 3 responses for question 1 were health, family, and relationships. Safety of children and raising Black children, being the head of the family, and finances were the top responses for question 2. Emotional eating, not enough time for exercise, and eating fast food due to lack of time or money were voted as the top reasons as to how stressors influence women's weight.Discussion: Our findings are consistent with previous work reporting that, along with generic stress, race- and gender-related stress contribute to the overall experiences of Black women. This work adds qualitative depth to allow for a better understanding of the unique sources of stress for Black women. These gender- and race-related stressors should be considered when offering stress management interventions for weight loss and general health promotion among Black women.

Outcome of Pregnancy and Maternal Weight in Women Living in Coastal and Continental Croatia

Pregnancy outcomes are under the influence of maternal characteristics and environmental factors, diet being the most important. The benefits of the Mediterranean diet on all health indicators, including pregnancy, are well documented, placing at the top of the world’s healthiest diets. The aim was to investigate whether pregnant women living in the Mediterranean part of Croatia have better pregnancy outcomes in comparison to women living in the continental region. Observational longitudinal study was conducted in two Croatia’s regions: continental (city of Osijek and surrounding area) and coastal (city of Split and surrounding area). Even though women for the coastal region gained more weight during pregnancy (p=0.048) and prolonged gestation (p<0.001), maternal nutritional status has a higher influence on offspring’s nutritional status at delivery among women from the continental region. The incidence of pregnancy disorders (p<0.001) is higher among women from the continental region. Maternal weight prior to delivery was associated with caesarean section in both regions. Despite an unfavorable maternal nutritional status, both prior and during gestation and prolonged gestation, offspring’s nutritional status is better in the Mediterranean part of Croatia.

A STUDY TO ASSESS AND CORRELATE THE MATERNAL PERIODONTAL STATUS WITH THEIR PREGNANCY OUTCOME

Background: This work attempted to ascertain if periodontal infection was a risk factor for preterm low birth weight (PTLBW) as well as whether it was possible to link periodontal infection prevalence to PTLBW.
 Aim of the Study: The aim of the research is to evaluate the seriousness of a pregnant woman's periodontal condition in the 2nd trimester as well as link it with the result of their pregnancy.
 Method: There were around 300 pregnant ladies in the data. information about the results of the current and past pregnancies. Obstetrics as well as dental risk factors were confirmed in medical reports of expectant mothers. Oral hygiene index (OHI), Clinical attachment level (CAL), and Probing pocket depth (PPD), Plaque index (PI), etc. were analysed. To calculate BMI, pregnant women's height and weight were evaluated.
 Results: Of the 300 pregnant ladies, 54 (18%) are under the age of 20. Out of 300 pregnant women, it was found that 58 (19.3%) had periodontal disease and 242 (80.7%) had gingivitis. The extent of periodontal disease, as well as PTLBW infants born to pregnant mothers, were shown to be significantly correlated.
 Conclusion: The periodontal status revealed that with increase in severity of periodontal disease progression there was increase in incidence of preterm delivery. The periodontal status revealed that with increase in severity of periodontal disease progression there was increase in incidence of low birth weight babies.

The importance of sleep and parity in understanding changes in weight and breastfeeding behavior among postpartum women

BackgroundBreastfeeding duration has been linked with the health of both women and their children, but research that considers women's weight change postpartum and practical factors that may impact their quality of life (i.e., sleep quantity, number of children) is limited. MethodA survey was administered to 568 women (M age = 31.32 years; SD = 4.21) who had given birth within the past year. The survey included assessments of pre- and post-pregnancy weight and height, breastfeeding practices, current sleep quantity, presence of breastfeeding-specific support, and other demographics including their total number of children. ResultsGreater pre-pregnancy to postpartum weight increase was related to shorter duration of breastfeeding. Mothers who exclusively breastfed for the first six months had less postpartum weight increase (i.e., the discrepancy between their pre-pregnancy and post-pregnancy weight was smaller) than those who did not. Fewer children and greater hours of sleep were significantly associated with longer duration of breastfeeding. Sleep partially accounted for the relationship between body mass index change and breastfeeding duration. Breastfeeding-specific support did not impact the effect of low sleep on shorter breastfeeding duration. ConclusionsDuration of breastfeeding may suffer due to fatigue. Sleep plays a key role in understanding the ways in which weight change impact breastfeeding behavior. Greater holistic support for mothers in the postpartum period is needed to foster an environment that encourages breastfeeding.

Effect of Metformin on maternal and fetal outcomes in over weight and obese pregnant women

Effect of Metformin on maternal and fetal outcomes in over weight and obese pregnant women

Evaluation of Coronavirus Anxiety in Pregnant Women on Apgar Score and Birth Weight After One Year of Coronavirus Outbreak (Case Study: Zabol, Iran)

Background & Objective: Pregnancy is a stressful event in and of itself, which may have an impact on the present prevalence of COVID-19 illness. It is crucial to think about what factors can help pregnant women cope with the anxiety brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 in pregnant women, as well as the impact of COVID-19 anxiety on pregnant women's Apgar scores and birth weights of newborns.Materials & Methods: From early January to late March 2021, 102 pregnant women were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study using any accessible sampling method. Questionnaires such as the "Demographic" and "Corona Anxiety Scale" were used to collect data. SPSS software version 22 was used to analyze the data.Results: The mean score of total anxiety caused by COVID-19 in pregnant women was 20.88 ± 21.08, which was moderate. Among the components of anxiety, the mean score of psychological symptoms (13.05 ± 5.31) of pregnant women was higher than physical symptoms (5.64 ± 5.72). There was no statistically significant link between demographic characteristics and COVID-19-induced anxiety (P < /em>>0.05). The findings also revealed no statistically significant connection between COVID-19-induced anxiety and newborn weight or Apgar score 1 and 5 minutes after birth (P < /em>>0.05).Conclusion: The definitive incidence of COVID-19 in pregnant women was low. They experienced a moderate level of anxiety caused by COVID-19, which requires the necessary measurements to be taken by the relevant authorities, family and others to reduce this anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic.

Prediction of preterm pre-eclampsia according to NICE and ACOG criteria: descriptive study of 597 492 Danish births from 2008 to 2017.

The aim of this national study was to examine the incidence of preterm pre-eclampsia (PE) and the proportion of women with risk factors for PE, according to the criteria suggested by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), during a 10-year period in Denmark. Data from The Danish National Patient Registry and the Danish Medical Birth Registry were used to obtain the incidence of preterm PE with delivery < 37 weeks' gestation and risk factors for PE for all deliveries in Denmark from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017. The proportion of women with at least one high-risk factor and/or at least two moderate-risk factors for PE, according to the NICE and ACOG criteria, and the detection rate for preterm PE were examined. Race, socioeconomic status and the woman's weight at birth were not available from the registries used, and information on Type-2 diabetes was found to be invalid. Of the 597 492 deliveries during the study period, any PE was registered in 3.2%, preterm PE < 37 weeks in 0.7% and early-onset PE < 34 weeks' gestation in 0.3%. These proportions remained largely unchanged from 2008 to 2017. Overall, the NICE criteria were fulfilled in 7.5% of deliveries and the ACOG criteria in 17.3%. In the total population, the NICE criteria identified 47.6% of those with preterm PE and the ACOG criteria identified 60.5%. The current criteria for offering aspirin treatment in Denmark largely correspond to having at least one NICE high-risk factor. In 2017, a total of 3.5% of deliveries had at least one NICE high-risk factor, which identified 28.4% of cases that later developed preterm PE. The incidence of preterm PE remained largely unchanged in Denmark from 2008 to 2017. Prediction of PE according to high-risk maternal factors could be improved by addition of moderate-risk factors. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Association of Food Insecurity and Weight Status of Women in Tuba Island, Malaysia

Global concern is food insecurity and low weight status, contributing to poor health outcomes. Food deficiency happens when people can't get enough food much of the time; on the other hand, low weight status occurs when people eat more or less than they need. Women are a potentially vulnerable group of people facing weight and food insecurity. Therefore, this research was intended to establish the connection between the status of food insecurity and the weight status of women on Tuba Island. This is a cross-sectional study design, and about 114 women aged 18-45 years have participated in Tuba Island. The Radimer/Cornell hunger and food insecurity questionnaire and anthropometric measurements are the study's measurement methods. Via a face-to-face interview, this research was carried out. With 64.9 percent and 35.1 percent, respectively, the incidence of food insecurity was higher than food security. The prevalence of low weight status (underweight, overweight and obese) was 71.9%, which was just 28.1% higher than good weight status (normal weight). There was a significant relationship between job status (p=0.019) and household income (p=0.006) in terms of food insecurity; however, there was no significant relationship between food insecurity and weight status (p=0.437). This study showed no correlation between food insecurity and women's weight status on Tuba Island, although there is an association between job status and household income with food insecurity.

Investigation of optimal gestational weight gain based on the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes for Chinese women: a prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo investigate recommendations for appropriate gestational weight gain (GWG) of Chinese females.MethodsIn total of 3,172 eligible women in the first trimester were recruited into the Chinese Pregnant Women Cohort Study (CPWCS) project. Pregnancy complications and outcomes were collated using the hospital medical records system. The method of occurrence of participants with adverse pregnancy outcomes (Occurrence Method) was conducted to calculate the recommended total GWG for each participant’s pre-pregnancy BMI. Occurrence Method data were judged against the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Japanese recommended criteria in terms of the total occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women with appropriate weight gain.ResultsThe most frequent GWG was ≥ 14 kg and < 16 kg (19.4%), followed by ≥ 10 kg and < 12 kg (15.5%) and ≥ 12 kg and < 14 kg (15.2%). The most frequently occurring adverse pregnancy outcomes were cesarean sections for underweight (30.0%), normal weight (40.4%), overweight (53.6%) and obese (53.7%) women. A large for gestational age (LGA) accounted for 18.0% of the overweight and 20.9% of the obesity group. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurred in 16.9% of overweight and 23.1% of obese women. The recommended total GWG in a Chinese women population is ≥ 8 and < 12 kg if underweight, ≥ 12 and < 14 kg for normal weight, ≥ 8.0 and < 10.0 kg if overweight, and < 8 kg for women with obesity.ConclusionsCurrent Chinese recommendations provide the optimal ranges of GWG to minimize the occurrence of undesirable pregnancy outcomes for each group of pre-pregnancy BMIs in a Chinese population.Trial registrationRegistered with ClinicalTrials (NCT03403543).

A Review of the Clinician's Role in Women's Weight Management and Implications for Women's Health and Pregnancy Outcomes.

Ten years have passed since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its recommendations for gestational weight gain (GWG), based on a woman's prepregnancy body mass index. Despite this, the majority of women do not gain the appropriate gestational weight; most women gain too much weight, and a small but substantial number gain too little. We review the literature concerning GWG, the opinions and practices of clinicians in managing their patients' weight, and how these practices are perceived by patients. We also review several randomized control trials that investigate the efficacy of clinical intervention in managing GWG. A literature review search was conducted with no limitations on the number of years searched. The number of clinicians who are aware of and use the IOM recommendations has increased, but the prevalence of inappropriate GWG has not decreased. Clinicians report feeling less than confident in their ability to have an impact on their patients' weight gain, and there are discrepancies between what clinicians and patients report regarding counseling. Many randomized control trials demonstrate a beneficial impact of clinical intervention, highlighting the importance of collaboration and technology to provide educational information and support throughout a pregnancy. Pregnancy provides an opportunity for clinicians to have open and direct conversations with their patients about their weight. Providing clinicians with the tools, skillset, and confidence to assist in the management of GWG is essential to the health of women and their children, and warrants further investigation.

Obesity and Sexual Dysfunction among Women

For many obese and overweight women, sexual functioning is a critical, but often ignored, aspect of their quality of life. Obesity is becoming a global problem. The aim of this article was to provide an introductory insight into the relationship between obesity and sexual dysfunction in women from the recent literature. The link between obesity and sexual functioning is poorly understood, and therapeutic choices are even less well understood. Weight did, however, affect the some aspects of sexual function in studies of special populations such as women with gestational diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence. Surgical weight loss, but not non-surgical weight loss is linked to the resolution of some aspects of sexual dysfunction in women. When it comes to sexual dysfunction, women's weight plays a pivotal role. Non-weight loss surgery has been linked to improved sexual function in women. To fully understand the link between weight and sexual function, more research is needed.

BMI and dissatisfaction with life: contextual factors and socioemotional costs of obesity

PurposeIn this study, we investigate whether individuals’ BMI categories are associated with being dissatisfied with one’s life, how this association is affected by the social comparison that individuals make, and what the role of the overall BMI levels in this process is.MethodsWe use data for 21,577 men and 27,415 women, collected in 2016 by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, from 34 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. To understand the moderating effect of contextual environment, we use multilevel mixed effect logistic regression models and data for national, regional, and cohort-specific BMI levels.ResultWe find that the association of BMI and dissatisfaction with life differs by gender, with overweight men being less likely to be dissatisfied with life than men with normal weight and obese women being more likely to be dissatisfied with life compared to women with normal weight. For contextual effects, we find that obese women in regions with low BMI levels are more likely to be dissatisfied with life. The effect of obesity on female life dissatisfaction is not observed in regions with high BMI levels. As for men, regional BMI levels affect the levels of life dissatisfaction but only for underweight men.ConclusionsOur study adds additional nuance to the quality-of-life research by showing that the association between BMI and decreased life satisfaction is, at least partially, moderated by the contextual environment, and that the character of these effects differs by gender.

Association between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Excess of Weight in Women with Endometrial Cancer

Obesity is one of major risk factor for endometrial cancer, which is the eighth most incident cancer among women in Brazil. The present study aimed to assess any possible associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and clinical or sociodemographic characteristics of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer. This is a cross-sectional study with women newly diagnosed with endometrial cancer (EC). The study was conducted between December 2016 and January 2020, at a reference center for gynecological cancer treatment. The nutritional status was assessed by measuring anthropometric parameters and food consumption by the food frequency questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was performed for the dependent variables overweight and obesity. The analyses were considered statistically significant when p < 0,05. The study population consisted of 318 women, with a mean age of 59.1 ± 6.9 years. The average daily energy intake was 2365.13 kcal/day, with 70.48% of energy consumption from fresh or minimally processed foods and 16.95% from UPF. Women above the highest tertile of UPF intake (19.27%) were more likely to be obese (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.12; 3.41, p < 0.01). Having a partner and systemic arterial hypertension was associated with the outcome. The high intake of UPF was associated with obesity, which indicates the need for nutritional intervention in this population.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INTERRELATION OF VASOMOTOR SYMPTOMS WITH BODY MASS INDEX

The mechanisms of the emergence of "hot flashes" are actively considered, but still insufficiently studied. A woman's body weight is a modifiable risk factor, that is, amenable to both non-drug and drug correction. Therefore, the relevance of studying this risk factor for hot flashes is high. The purpose of this study is to study the relationship between vasomotor symptoms and body mass index in women. The study included 228 women with vasomotor complaints in the early postmenopausal period. The average age at the onset of menopause was 51.6 years (47.2; 53.4), while the median duration of menopause was 4.1 years (2.2; 5.0). Our results indicate the possibility of hot flashes in women with different body mass index. In obese women, severe menopausal syndrome (MS) is less common (5.7%) than in women with overweight (8.3%) or normal body weight (6.1%); while the average degree of MS is most often observed in patients with normal body weight (21.5%), less often with obesity (14.9%) and overweight (10.1%); mild MS is most often observed in patients with normal body weight (18%), less often with obesity (10.1%) and overweight (5.3%). It was found that in women with obesity, the severity of the initial signs of MS is not high (on average, up to 5-6 hot flashes per day), severe MS is less common than in women with overweight or normal body weight. Thus, hot flashes occur in women regardless of the woman's body weight and "obesity" is not able, as previously thought, to "protect" a woman from the appearance of hot flashes.

EARLY AND MENOPAUSAL WEIGHT GAIN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION

Objective: To compare data of lifelong weight gain of persons, analyzing its correlation with developed metabolic diseases, with special attention to women's weight gain around pregnancy, delivery and menopause. Design and method: A retrospective international study was planned and organized to compare selfrecorded data of lifelong weight gain among 60–70 year old patients analyse their correlation with metabolic diseases they developed with special attention to women's weight gain around pregnancy, delivery and menopause in primary care settings in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and the Ukraine. People between 60y-70y were asked to fill in a questionnaire on body weights in previous life decades and heights. Recent parameters were measured. Results: Of the recruited 815 participants, 319 men and 496 women presented all the required data. Diabetics of both genders had the highest baseline weight at 20 years of age. The weight and BMI of the whole study population increased steadily until their seventies, but to a lesser extent after their fifties. Compared to the control group, changes over decades were the greatest among diabetics and also greater among patients with hypertension. Weight increase in the first decades (20–30-year-old men and 30–40-yearold women) was a significant risk factor for the development of diabetes (OR = 1.044; p = 0.002; 95 % CI: 1.01–1.07). Among patients with diabetes and hypertension, both diagnoses were set up earlier than among those with a single morbidity. Among females, weight increase around pregnancy and menopause correlated significantly with higher odds for the diagnoses of diabetes and/or hypertension, irrespective of the number of children. Conclusions: During their decade-long relationship with their patients, family physicians are expected to identify the higher weight gain of their patients, especially among younger generation and intervene, if necessary.

Comparison of two different starting doses of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) for intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles in non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a retrospective cohort study

We aimed to compare the efficacy of two different starting doses of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH), 37.5 vs. 75 international units (IU) for intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles in non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A total of 109 women who underwent first rFSH stimulated IUI cycle were included in this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome measure was the clinical pregnancy rate. No significant difference was found in terms of clinical pregnancy rate between the two groups (22% for the 37.5-IU group and 24% for the 75-IU group, respectively, p = .808). There was no significant difference in monofollicular development rate among the groups (p = .354). The total rFSH consumption was lower in the 37.5-IU group compared to the 75-IU group (p< .001). There was no statistically significant difference in pregnancy rates between the 37.5-IU and 75-IU groups in both normal weight (BMI: 19–24.9 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI: 25–29.9 kg/m2) women (p = .889 and .518, respectively). These results suggest that the starting doses of 37.5 and 75 IU of rFSH do not show significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates in non-obese PCOS women undergoing IUI cycles. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Low-dose gonadotropin treatment is advised for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, there are few comparative data on the efficacy of different starting doses of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) for intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles in PCOS women. What the results of this study add? There was no statistically significant difference in pregnancy rates of non-obese patients with PCOS having IUI whether rFSH was started at 37.5 or 75 international units (IU). What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? A starting dose of 37.5 IU of rFSH may be a reasonable approach for IUI cycles in non-obese PCOS women.

Specific amino acids but not total protein attenuate postpartum weight gain among Hispanic women from Southern California.

There is a high prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the United States, particularly among Hispanic women, which may be partly explained by failure to lose gestational weight during the postpartum period. Previous work indicates that protein and amino acids may protect against weight gain; therefore, this study examined the impact of dietary protein and amino acid intake on changes in postpartum weight and the percent of women meeting the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for these dietary variables among Hispanic women from the Southern California Mother's Milk Study (n = 99). Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations between protein and amino acid intake with change in weight after adjusting for maternal age, height, and energy intake. Women's weight increased from prepregnancy to 1‐month and 6‐months postpartum (71.1 ± 14.6 vs. 73.1 ± 13.1 vs. 74.5 ± 14.6 kg, p < .0001). Although dietary protein was not associated with weight change (β = −1.09; p = .13), phenylalanine (β = −1.46; p = .04), tryptophan (β = −1.71; p = .009), valine (β = −1.34; p = .04), isoleucine (β = −1.26; p = .045), and cysteine (β = −1.52; p = .02) intake were inversely associated with weight change. Additionally, fewer women met the EAR values for cysteine (11.1%), phenylalanine (60.6%), and methionine (69.7%), whereas most women met the EAR values for tryptophan (92.9%), valine (96.0%), and isoleucine (94.9%). Study results indicate that several essential and conditionally essential amino acids were associated with postpartum weight loss, with a significant portion of women not meeting recommended intake levels for some of these amino acids. These results highlight the importance of postpartum maternal diet as a potential modifiable risk factor.

The Impact of Sociocultural Changes on Obesity among Arab Women: Kuwait as a Case

This study aims to reveal the impact of sociocultural changes on obesity among Arab women (Kuwait as a case). A sample of 250 Kuwaiti women, ranging in age from 20 years to 76 years, was selected from all Kuwaiti governorates. The sample was selected from groups with different social, cultural, and economic status in the society. Social and health scales were used. Degree of religiosity, food habits, physical activity scales were used. Height, weight, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold, hip circumference, and waist circumference were also used. Whereas the World Health Organization indicates in the February 2018 statistics that 40% of women aged 18 years or older around the world are overweight or obese, the results of the current study show that the majority of the women in the sample are overweight or obese. The results also show that there are differences in obesity rates among age groups. The study found a statistically significant relationship between a women's normal weight and age, education level, socioeconomic status, dietary habits, physical activity, family structure, and family size. The results also indicate that women in Kuwait suffer from the highest rates of obesity and overweight in the world.

Neonatal Birth Weight of the Woman as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer in her Life: a Case-Control Bicentric Study.

Background:It is a global fact that the birth weight is increasing during the years around the world and for this reason it is very important to be examined as a potential risk factor for breast cancer. According to data from World Health Organization, breast cancer is the second most frequent malignancy across the world, after lung cancer, in Europe including Greece in incidence and mortality for women between the ages 0-85 years old.Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between neonatal birth weight of the women and breast cancer risk in Greek women. Although that many studies concluded that birth weight is positively related with breast cancer reinforcing the theory that breast cancer may originate in utero, some studies found no association. Moreover, the results from previous studies are inconsistent maybe due to several factors such as the study design and the number of cases.Methods:This study was a case-control retrospective bicentric study. The case group included 238 women with breast cancer, while the control group included 153 women without breast cancer who consulted in two breast clinics in Greece. In all women, a clinical examination and breast ultrasound were achieved. Moreover, digital bilateral mammography was performed in patients older than 40 years.Results:According to Fisher’s exact analysis, there is a statistically significant relationship between the higher women’s neonatal birth weight and the risk for breast cancer (p<0.001). More specifically in the group of women with breast cancer, 61% of them had more than 3500 grams birth weight, in contrast with 7.8 % in the control group. In our cohort, women who had birth weight more than 3500 grams are more likely to develop breast cancer in their life.Conclusion:Our study trend to show that the increased neonatal birth weight may influence future risk of breast cancer. However, further studies with larger number of participants are needed in order to clarify the role of birth weight as a complementary risk factor of breast cancer.