Physician Recommendations for Treating Overweight and Obese Women of Reproductive Age

Obesity rates are on a steady rise within the United States. This trend poses an increased risk for women of reproductive age seeking to become pregnant. In Los Angeles County approximately 44% of women are overweight before pregnancy. The highest rates are among African-American and Hispanic women living within low-income communities in Los Angeles County, as compared to white women living within high-income communities. Maternal obesity increases the likelihood of women developing complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Also, children born to obese mothers are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. The Institute of Medicine has responded to the obesity epidemic by revising its standards of healthy weight gain during pregnancy, to account for these higher starting pre-pregnancy weights. Physicians not only need to integrate these new guidelines into their practice, but also need to be actively involved in counseling women to healthy weight both pre- and post- pregnancy. Taking into account the social, cultural and environmental factors affecting obesity among women of reproductive age these recommendations include ways in which physicians can redesign their practice to be prevention- oriented and includes intervention techniques that both physicians and staff can utilize to encourage healthy weight behaviors among patients. Also, emerging research regarding potential causes of obesity and implications for future treatment are cited. By providers implementing these evidence-based recommendations, complications attributable to overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age can be both reduced and prevented.