The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44027

Jamie Blair Bussel, MPH¹, Diane J. Abatemarco, MSW, PhD², Mona Shah, MPH³, Mary Hrywna, MPH⁴, and Edmond S. Malka, MPH¹. (1) UMDNJ-School of Public Health, Liberty Plaza, Suite 2200, PO Box 2688, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2688, 732-235-9763, busselja@umdnj.edu, (2) Health Education and Behavioral Science, UMDNJ - School of Public Health, 335 George St, Liberty Plaza, Suite 2200, PO BOC 2688, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, (3) University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey School of Public Health, 335 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, (4) University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ School of Public Health, 335 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903

In addition to contributing to the morbidity and mortality of several conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, obesity presents a major negative consequence for women when it occurs during pregnancy. Obesity has been associated with increased risk of fetal macrosomia, as well as pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery. The purpose of this study to examine a woman's prepregnancy weight, using Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure, in order to elucidate relationships that exist between this anthropometrical measure and overall pregnancy experience and birth outcome. Date on infant birth weight was collected using The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) and Electronic Birth Certificate Data (EBC) for the state of New Jersey in 2000. PRAMS was a point-in-time survey used to collect population-based data on selected maternal behaviors. The sample consisted of 2203 women who participated in the PRAMS survey. Body Mass Index (BMI) was then derived from these sources. Preliminary findings suggest that overweight and obese women were more likely to suffer from gestational diabetes, hypertension, and risk of delivery via cesarean due to failed trial labor. In addition, they were also more likely to give birth to a macrosomic infant. Although many perinatal factors are not amenable to intervention, weight control may offer the greatest potential for positively impacting pregnancy outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• 1-Identify the negative consequences of overweight and obesity for pregnant women
• 2-Recognize overweight and obesity among pregnant women as a potentially modifiable risk factor for negative pregnany outcomes.
• 3-Describe factors that may predispose a woman to developing overweight and obesity during pregnancy

Keywords: Maternal Health, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.