Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Obesity trends and perinatal outcomes in black and white teenagers

Donna R Halloran1, Nicole E Marshall, Robert M Kunovich

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA. dhallor2@slu.edu

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|November 24, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Elevated prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) is increasing in white teenagers. Risks for maternal and infant complications associated with high BMI during pregnancy differ by race.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Rising rates of elevated prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) among adolescents pose significant public health concerns.
  • Understanding racial disparities in adolescent BMI trends and associated pregnancy outcomes is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine trends in prepregnancy BMI among Black and White teenage populations over time.
  • To investigate the association between elevated prepregnancy BMI and maternal/perinatal outcomes, stratified by race.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study including 38,158 singleton births to Black (34%) and White (66%) teenagers (<18 years).
  • Analysis of elevated prepregnancy BMI prevalence from 1993-2006 and its association with maternal/perinatal outcomes from 2000-2006.

Main Results:

  • Significant increase in elevated prepregnancy BMI among White teenagers (17% to 26%).
  • Overweight/obese teenagers of both races had higher rates of pregnancy-related hypertension.
  • Obese Black teenagers showed increased postpartum hemorrhage risk; overweight/obese White teenagers had increased infant complications.

Conclusions:

  • The rising prevalence of elevated prepregnancy BMI in White teenagers necessitates race-specific risk assessments for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.
  • Interventions should consider racial differences in the impact of adolescent obesity on pregnancy health.
Abstract

More Related Videos

White and Brown Adipose Grafts: An Approach to Correct Reproductive, Metabolic, and Renal Deficits in Black and Tan Brachyury (BTBR) Obese Mice06:16

White and Brown Adipose Grafts: An Approach to Correct Reproductive, Metabolic, and Renal Deficits in Black and Tan Brachyury (BTBR) Obese Mice

Published on: September 9, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction01:26

Type II Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which target tissues such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue respond poorly to insulin. It is also associated with inadequate compensatory insulin secretion, where pancreatic β-cells fail to produce sufficient insulin. Together, these abnormalities lead to persistent hyperglycemia.EtiologyT2DM develops through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental or...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...