A retrospective comparative study of antenatal healthy lifestyle service interventions for women with a raised body mass index

Association of child weight with attendance at a healthy lifestyle service among women with obesity during pregnancy

Women with obesity during pregnancy are at increased risk of excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and other maternal and infant adverse outcomes, which all potentially increase childhood obesity. This study explored infant weight outcomes for women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m² who were offered an antenatal healthy lifestyle service. A retrospective cohort study, including linking data from two separate health care Trusts, was undertaken. Data were collected from maternity records for women with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 referred to an antenatal healthy lifestyle service from 2009 to 2015. The respective child's weight outcome data was additionally collected from health and National Child Measurement Programme records. Univariate logistic regression determined the odds of childhood overweight, obesity and severe obesity according to attendance at the antenatal healthy lifestyle service, GWG and sociodemographic characteristics. Factors significant (p < 0.05) within the univariate analysis were entered into multiple logistic regression models. Among women with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m², 30.4% of their children were obese at school entry and 13.3% severely obese. Healthy lifestyle service attendance was not associated with childhood overweight or obesity at any point within the univariate analysis. At school age multiple regression analysis showed the odds of overweight and obesity increased with excessive GWG and the odds of obesity decreased with a parent in a professional occupation, additionally having a mother who smoked in pregnancy increased severe obesity. Women should be supported to optimise their BMI before pregnancy. Additionally, rather than exclusively focusing on changing an individual's behaviour, future interventions should consider external influences such as the woman's family, friends and sociodemographic background.

Factors associated with gestational weight gain in women with morbid obesity

BACKGROUND

Women with obesity are at increased risk of excessive gestational weight gain. Women with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or more are known to have different patterns of weight gain than women with lower levels of obesity. This study therefore aimed to determine the characteristics associated with gestational weight gain (GWG) among women with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more.

METHODS

Secondary analysis was undertaken on a retrospective cohort of women with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more, with a singleton pregnancy referred to an antenatal healthy lifestyle service between 2009 and 2015 (n = 735). GWG was calculated by subtracting weight at the first antenatal appointment from final recorded weight in pregnancy provided the final weight was recorded from at least 34 + 0 weeks gestation. Univariable and multiple linear regression analyses were employed to determine the association between GWG and different maternal and infant characteristics.

RESULTS

Average GWG among women with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more was 6.0 (±7.1)kg. Multiple regression showed GWG decreased with increasing BMI and increasing parity. Other socio-demographic factors were also significantly associated with GWG, with higher GWG seen among those with high levels of deprivation, where the highest household occupation was of a manual nature, in older women and women of non-White British ethnicity.

CONCLUSION

GWG in this cohort of women with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more was within Institute of Medicine recommendations. Using a systems approach to GWG management that incorporates biological, psychological and socio-ecological factors is important.