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Trends in pre-pregnancy obesity in nine states, 1993-2003

Shin Y Kim1, Patricia M Dietz, Lucinda England

  • 1National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Reproductive Health, 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS K-23, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. skim1@cdc.gov

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|April 12, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Pre-pregnancy obesity significantly increased by 69.3% between 1993 and 2003 among women delivering live infants. This trend highlights critical risks for maternal and infant health.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Reproductive Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Pre-pregnancy obesity presents significant health risks to both pregnant individuals and their offspring.
  • Monitoring trends in pre-pregnancy obesity is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine trends in pre-pregnancy obesity prevalence from 1993 to 2003.
  • To analyze obesity trends across various maternal demographic and behavioral subgroups.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) in nine states.
  • Calculated pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) from self-reported data and linked birth certificates.
  • Analyzed a weighted sample of 66,221 births, representative of 18.5% of US births.

Main Results:

  • Pre-pregnancy obesity prevalence rose by 69.3% from 13.0% (1993-1994) to 22.0% (2002-2003).
  • State-level increases ranged from 45% to 105%.
  • All examined subgroups showed at least a 43% increase, with highest prevalence in younger, Black, multiparous, less educated, WIC-enrolled, and non-smoking women.

Conclusions:

  • A significant increasing trend in pre-pregnancy obesity was observed in the studied population.
  • This escalating prevalence has substantial implications for reproductive health care and outcomes.
Abstract

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