Overview

Maternal obesity (defined as obesity during pregnancy) increases the risks to health for the mother and child during and after pregnancy. Statistics for the prevalence of maternal obesity are not collected routinely in the UK but trend data from the Health Survey for England show that the prevalence of obesity amongst women of childbearing age increased during the period 1997-2007. Women who are obese are significantly more likely to be older in pregnancy, to have a higher parity, and to live in areas of high deprivation, compared with women who are not obese.

For more detailed information on public health aspects of maternal obesity please see the links below:

• Epidemiology of maternal obesity
• Maternal obesity and maternal health
• Maternal obesity and child health
• Evidence and guidance on maternal obesity

These subject areas are supported by a list of references and a list of online sources providing further information.

For the latest CMACE/RCOG guidance on the management of women with obesity in pregnancy click here

For the latest NICE guidance on weight management before, during and after pregnancy click here

The National Obesity Observatory would like to acknowledge the help of Dr Nicola Heslehurst from Teesside University in compiling these pages.