Background: Obesity is rapidly increasing in most populations of the world including Saudi community. Maternal obesity adversely impacts pregnancy outcome through increased rates of hypertensive disease, diabetes, cesarean section and infections.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine frequency of obesity and its adverse effects on reproductive outcome in pregnant Saudi females.
Methods: Prospective Cohort study. Eight months (Nov 2008 to June 2009), Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) Buraida, Saudi Arabia Sample included a group of 1000 randomly recruited pregnant Saudi females. Patients were admitted through Outpatient and Emergency Departments. Height was recorded once and weight twice; at the beginning (prepregnancy weight) and end of pregnancy. The difference between the two weights was taken as net weight gain in pregnancy. Prepregnancy weight was used to calculate Body mass index (BMI) using formula; Weight in Kg/Height in (m). 2 The sample was divided into 5 groups depending upon their BMI ;< 18.5, 18.5-24.9, 25-29.9, 30-39.9 &>40, classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese & morbidly obese respectively. The normal weight group was used as control group. Data were collected regarding complications of obesity in pregnancy and labor and recorded on a Performa. Results were calculated by using computer programme SPSS Version 13 for windows. A p-value of< 0.05 is used to calculate statistical significance.
Results: The frequency of weight distribution in pregnant Saudi female calculated to be 2% (lean), 31% (normal weight), 33%(overweight), 30%(obese) and 4%(morbidly obese). Compared with normal weight women, both overweight and obese women had a significantly increased risk (p-value-<0.05) for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and delivery of a macrocosmic infant.
Conclusion: Overweight & obesity is a growing problem in pregnant Saudi females associated with increased risks of fetomaternal complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, and delivery of a macrocosmic infant.
Keywords: BMI; Obesity; Pregnancy; Reproductive Outcome; Saudi females.