open access

Vol 91, No 12 (2020)
Review paper
Published online: 2020-12-31
Get Citation

How mother’s obesity may affect the pregnancy and offspring

Sandra A. Radzicka-Mularczyk, Marek Pietryga1, Jacek Brazert1
·
Pubmed: 33447997
·
Ginekol Pol 2020;91(12):769-772.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Obstetrics and Women’s Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland

open access

Vol 91, No 12 (2020)
REVIEW PAPERS Obstetrics
Published online: 2020-12-31

Abstract

One of the main reasons for the epidemic of obesity, which has already influenced the economic condition of health system
worldwide, is our modern lifestyle having an unbalanced calorie intake and insufficient physical activity. Maternal-fetal nourishment
and metabolism are the mechanisms of fetal programming of obesity-adiposity and non-communicable diseases
that have been most extensively investigated. A mother’s obesity is related to adverse outcomes for both mother and baby.
Maternal overnutrition is also associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes, preterm birth, large-for-gestational-age
babies, fetal defects, congenital anomalies, and perinatal death. Women with obesity should be encouraged to reduce their
body mass index (BMI) prior to pregnancy, and to limit weight gain during pregnancy. Obstetric ultrasound imaging in
pregnant women is negatively affected by abdominal adipose tissue, having an adverse influence on congenital anomaly
detection rates and the estimation of fetal weight.

Abstract

One of the main reasons for the epidemic of obesity, which has already influenced the economic condition of health system
worldwide, is our modern lifestyle having an unbalanced calorie intake and insufficient physical activity. Maternal-fetal nourishment
and metabolism are the mechanisms of fetal programming of obesity-adiposity and non-communicable diseases
that have been most extensively investigated. A mother’s obesity is related to adverse outcomes for both mother and baby.
Maternal overnutrition is also associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes, preterm birth, large-for-gestational-age
babies, fetal defects, congenital anomalies, and perinatal death. Women with obesity should be encouraged to reduce their
body mass index (BMI) prior to pregnancy, and to limit weight gain during pregnancy. Obstetric ultrasound imaging in
pregnant women is negatively affected by abdominal adipose tissue, having an adverse influence on congenital anomaly
detection rates and the estimation of fetal weight.

Get Citation

Keywords

obesity; body mass index; BMI; gestational diabetes mellitus; GDM; pregnancy; glucose intolerance; folates; vitamin B; homocysteine

About this article
Title

How mother’s obesity may affect the pregnancy and offspring

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 91, No 12 (2020)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

769-772

Published online

2020-12-31

Page views

1632

Article views/downloads

1453

DOI

10.5603/GP.2020.0116

Pubmed

33447997

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2020;91(12):769-772.

Keywords

obesity
body mass index
BMI
gestational diabetes mellitus
GDM
pregnancy
glucose intolerance
folates
vitamin B
homocysteine

Authors

Sandra A. Radzicka-Mularczyk
Marek Pietryga
Jacek Brazert

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