Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116249

Helen Marshall, BS, Epidemiology/Surveillance and Evaluation, Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A-12, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1720, 850-245-4444 X 2415, Helen_Marshall@doh.state.fl.us

Background: Obesity is the leading health care issue of this decade. Obesity can lead to health problems, including heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and death. During pregnancy women are at greater risk if overweight or obese.

Methods: Florida PRAMS weighted data from years 2000 and 2001 were combined to generate more reliable estimates for all women in Florida who gave birth to a live born infant.

Results: 33.1 percent of women were overweight or obese. Prevalence of obesity before pregnancy was higher among non-Hispanic Black women (42.9 percent) compared to non-Hispanic White women (31.9 percent) and Hispanic women (28.0 percent). The prevalence of hypertension during pregnancy (25.5 percent), gestational diabetes (10.8 percent), cesarean delivery (30.9 percent) was higher than among women who were not overweight or obese (13.1 percent, 5.8 percent, 23.0 percent respectively). Age plays a part in weight control. During years 2000 and 2001, women age 35 and older were more overweight or obese (40.6 percent) than their younger counterparts, age 25 to 34 (35.0 percent), age 20 to 24 (29.7 percent), and age 19 and younger (24.2 percent).

Conclusions: Obesity before pregnancy may be a precursor to obesity during pregnancy. Overweight and obese pregnant women develop more health problems, including hypertension, and diabetes more often than non-overweight pregnant women. Overweight or obese pregnant women often need to have a cesarean section for delivery.

Learning Objectives:

• · This study identifies significant health risks for pregnant women.
• · Pregnant women who were overweight or obese before pregnancy risk their health and the health of their babies by continuing to be overweight or obese through their pregnancy.
• · Results of this study could be used to assist doctors who see overweight or obese women in their practices.

Keywords: Pregnancy Outcomes,

Related Web page: www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/epi/prams/prams.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.