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Expectant mums 'getting too fat' | Expectant mums 'getting too fat' |
(about 15 hours later) | |
Rising obesity trends mean that by 2010, half of all UK mums-to-be could be above ideal weight and a fifth obese, experts warn. | Rising obesity trends mean that by 2010, half of all UK mums-to-be could be above ideal weight and a fifth obese, experts warn. |
Women from deprived areas run the greatest risk and are twice as likely to be obese at the start of pregnancy. | Women from deprived areas run the greatest risk and are twice as likely to be obese at the start of pregnancy. |
Urgent action is needed to halt this "serious public health time bomb," a team from Teesside wrote in the journal BJOG. | |
They said it was a problem that had not been fully appreciated until now. | They said it was a problem that had not been fully appreciated until now. |
Maternal obesity is something that has crept up on us Professor John WilkinsonDirector of North East Public Health Observatory | Maternal obesity is something that has crept up on us Professor John WilkinsonDirector of North East Public Health Observatory |
Researchers from the North East Public Health Observatory studied nearly 37,000 women at a local maternity unit over 15 years. | Researchers from the North East Public Health Observatory studied nearly 37,000 women at a local maternity unit over 15 years. |
Maternal obesity had risen from 9.9% in 1990 to 16% in 2004, they found. | Maternal obesity had risen from 9.9% in 1990 to 16% in 2004, they found. |
If this trend continues, by 2010, 22% of pregnant women will be obese, putting a strain on maternity services, researcher Nicola Heslehurst and colleagues warn. | If this trend continues, by 2010, 22% of pregnant women will be obese, putting a strain on maternity services, researcher Nicola Heslehurst and colleagues warn. |
Being overweight during pregnancy is a big health risk for both mother and baby. | Being overweight during pregnancy is a big health risk for both mother and baby. |
Big problem | Big problem |
Obese mums-to-be are more likely miscarry, experience pre-eclampsia and dangerous blood clots or need a Caesarean section to deliver the baby, which is likely to be larger itself. | Obese mums-to-be are more likely miscarry, experience pre-eclampsia and dangerous blood clots or need a Caesarean section to deliver the baby, which is likely to be larger itself. |
According to Confidential Enquiries into Maternal and Child Health, obesity is a feature of 35% of maternal deaths. | According to Confidential Enquiries into Maternal and Child Health, obesity is a feature of 35% of maternal deaths. |
Babies of obese mothers also face a higher death risk. | Babies of obese mothers also face a higher death risk. |
Professor John Wilkinson, director of North East Public Health Observatory, said: "Maternal obesity is something that has crept up on us. | Professor John Wilkinson, director of North East Public Health Observatory, said: "Maternal obesity is something that has crept up on us. |
"We had anecdotal evidence and were aware that heavier women were coming in to book a pregnancy, but we needed some hard evidence." | "We had anecdotal evidence and were aware that heavier women were coming in to book a pregnancy, but we needed some hard evidence." |
"Public health time bomb" | "Public health time bomb" |
Professor Carolyn Summerbell who heads up the Centre for Food, Physical Activity, and Obesity research at the University of Teesside said: "Future research programmes aimed at preventing the continuation of this trend are imperative." | Professor Carolyn Summerbell who heads up the Centre for Food, Physical Activity, and Obesity research at the University of Teesside said: "Future research programmes aimed at preventing the continuation of this trend are imperative." |
Professor Phil Steer, editor-in-chief of BJOG, agreed saying: "This is a serious public health time bomb and of major anxiety to healthcare professionals and providers. | Professor Phil Steer, editor-in-chief of BJOG, agreed saying: "This is a serious public health time bomb and of major anxiety to healthcare professionals and providers. |
"At a time when NHS resources are stretched, the scale of the problem in future years will need to be scoped, to identify 'at-risk' groups and help plan service delivery more effectively." | "At a time when NHS resources are stretched, the scale of the problem in future years will need to be scoped, to identify 'at-risk' groups and help plan service delivery more effectively." |
Gail Johnson of the Royal College of Midwives said: "Socially excluded groups already face challenges in maintaining health and obesity may make health gains harder to achieve. | Gail Johnson of the Royal College of Midwives said: "Socially excluded groups already face challenges in maintaining health and obesity may make health gains harder to achieve. |
"We would encourage women who are concerned about weight gain to talk to their midwife to identify what help and advice is available and to take the issue seriously." | "We would encourage women who are concerned about weight gain to talk to their midwife to identify what help and advice is available and to take the issue seriously." |
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