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Cited by 46Gestational Diabetes Research and ManagementMaternal and Neonatal HealthcareObesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Overweight and obesity knowledge prior to pregnancy: a survey study

Open access
Nitert, Marloes Dekker, Foxcroft, Katie F, Lust, Karin, Fagermo, Narelle, Lawlor, Debbie A, O'Callaghan, Michael, Mcintyre, H David, Callaway, Leonie K·2011·BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
DOI 10.1186/1471-2393-11-96PMC PMC3240826
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Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for pregnancy complications. Knowledge about increased risks in overweight and obese women could contribute to successful prevention strategies and the aim of this study is to assess current levels of knowledge in a pregnant population. Methods: Cross sectional survey of 412 consecutive unselected women in early pregnancy in Brisbane, Australia: 255 public women attending their first antenatal clinic visit and 157 women at private maternal fetal medicine clinics undergoing a routine ultrasound evaluation prior to 20 weeks gestation. The cohort was stratified according to pre pregnancy BMI (< 25.0 or ≥ 25.0). The main outcome measure was knowledge regarding the risks of overweight and obesity in pregnancy. Results: Over 75% of respondents identified that obese women have an increased risk of overall complications, including gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy compared to women of normal weight. More than 60% of women asserted that obesity would increase the risk of caesarean section and less than half identified an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Women were less likely to know about neonatal complications (19.7% did not know about the effect of obesity on these) than maternal complications (7.4%). Knowledge was similar amongst women recruited at the public hospital and those recruited whilst attending for an ultrasound scan at a private clinic. For most areas they were also similar between women of lower and higher BMI, but women with BMI < 25.0 were less likely to know that obesity was associated with increased rate of Caesarean section than those with higher BMI (16.8% versus 4.5%, P < 0.001). Higher educational status was associated with more knowledge of the risks of overweight and obesity in pregnancy. Conclusions: Many women correctly identify that overweight and obesity increases the overall risk of complications of pregnancy and childbirth. The increased risks of maternal complications associated with being obese are better known than the increased risk of neonatal complications. Maternal education status is a main determinant of the extent of knowledge and this should be considered when designing education campaigns.

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  • Only 57% of pregnant women were aware that obesity increases the overall risk of pregnancy- and birth complications and that weight loss before pregnancy can reduce the overall risk for complications.

    “A previous study showed that only 57 % of pregnant women were aware of the fact that obesity increases the overall risk of pregnancy- and birth complications and that weight loss before the pregnancy can reduce to overall risk for complications [37].”

    From Associations between periconceptional lifestyle behaviours and adverse pregnancy outcomes (2021) · cites this paper as [37]

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  1. Callaway LK O'Callaghan MJ McIntyre HD Barriers to addressing overweight and obesity before conception Med J Aust 2009 191 8 425 428 19835534

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Authors
Nitert, M. D., Foxcroft, K. F., Lust, K., Fagermo, N., Lawlor, D. A., O'Callaghan, M., Mcintyre, H. D., & Callaway, L. K.
Affiliations
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
  • Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (AU)
  • University of Bristol (GB)
  • Mater Children's Hospital (AU)
Corresponding author
Callaway, Leonie K
ORCID
Venue
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2011-11-21
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
96-96
ISSN
1471-2393 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/1471-2393-11-96
PMC
PMC3240826
OpenAlex
W1966007041
Cited by
46
References
54
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 3
FWCI
7.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Keywords
maternal obesity, overweight in pregnancy, pregnancy complications, maternal knowledge, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean section, neonatal outcomes, pre-pregnancy body mass index, maternal education, prenatal care, maternal-fetal medicine
MeSH terms
Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Obesity, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Pregnancy Outcome, Prenatal Care, Queensland, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Cohort Studies, Body Mass Index, Women's Health

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