According to the Public Affairs Committee there is a correlation between women obesity and pregnancy complications. The report suggests that women having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 have, compared to normal weight women, double the risk of having an affected child.
This relation remains unclear because of limited available data. But statistics show that obese and overweight women face during pregnancy an increased risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension and thromboembolic events. At the same time they are more likely to need a cesarean surgery.
In addition, the babes of obese mothers have higher chances to start their life in neonatal intensive care units and have a higher incidence of neural tube troubles.
Because childhood obesity is a major social concern, the Public Affair Committee consider that prevention of this condition must begin with prevention of obesity during the reproductive years. By consequence, the report suggests to avoid obese or overweight conditions during the pregnancy. Because during the pregnancy an adequate nutrition is recommended for women, the weight loss efforts must be made before conception. During the pregnancy women should receive a appropriate education about the right caloric intake and exercise.
The last recommendation of Public Affairs Committee says that all parents should be educated to pay a special attention of breastfeeding and proper childhood nutrition as a protective approach against childhood obesity.
Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health issues such as role of obesity in parents
