Risks of Obesity to Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Risks of Obesity to Pregnancy and Childbirth
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• Using a sample analysis of just over 19
  million people in 200 countries globally, a study
  found that more of that population sample is
  considered to be overweight than underweight.
• Western, developed countries, such as the UK,
  United States of America and Australia have an
  obesity rate greater than 50 for women who have
  yet to undergo menopause.

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• The risks that come with this kind of obesity
  are considerable if a woman should fall pregnant
  whilst being considered obese. Aside from the
  health risks to both the mothers and childs
  health during the pregnancy, complications can
  arise for a natural childbirth occurring.
• Women who are obese when carrying a child are
  more likely to suffer from gestational diabetes,
  require a caesarian to deliver the baby, or in
  some cases, both.

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• The child becomes inherently likely to
  develop childhood obesity traits, neonatal
  complications and potential metabolic problems as
  they grow older.
• This can often lead to an ongoing cycle of
  obesity from parent to child that could last for
  more than one generation. In the case of obesity
  today, this is becoming more and more likely
  since the population as a whole is increasing in
  their obesity levels, rather than actually losing
  weight.

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• Whilst diet and lifestyle are always a
  factor, they are not the only way to manage ones
  obesity effectively. In many cases, altering
  ones diet and lifestyle may not have the desired
  weight-loss effect. Weight loss surgery is an
  alternative to help lose the initial weight,
  returning an obese individual back to a healthy
  BMI for their height, weight and gender. Once
  this is achieved, managing that weight with good
  dietary / lifestyle practices is vital to
  maintaining a healthy weight.