Taking a Look at Maternal Obesity

It cannot be denied that obesity is a growing problem in today’s modern society. Individuals with obesity face many complications in their lives, such as heart complications, diabetes, osteoarthritis and of course, early mortality. However, the astonishing thing is that obesity is a preventable disease. According to (the Department of Health, 2005, p.6), 39% of Irish adults are overweight, and 18% are classified as obese. The main factors in causing obesity are poor diet, lack of activity and family genetics. Poor diet and lack of activity can easily be prevented, thus combatting obesity and improving the family genetics for future generations. The report (Obesity, a growing problem?, 2011, p. 2) illustrates that the causes of obesity are characterised as a natural reaction to an un-natural situation. The nurse has an important role in obesity prevention. Nurses, with their advanced care and medical knowledge can make a significant difference to the lives of those who are obese. This topic was chosen because the epidemic of obesity is growing increasingly more serious for a disease that can be prevented.

This literature review will look into obesity in pregnancy and the influences its has on maternity care. The review will explore specifically health promotion including weight, dietary and exercise advice given to obese women, and will explore the challenges that come with giving weight related advice for the midwife and the women involved.

This case study will be based on a case holding experience, focusing on the effect that a raised body mass index (BMI) has on a woman. This essay will discuss and critically evaluate the relevant professional issues, psychosocial factors and the role of health and public health strategies, as well as integrate the evidence that supports it. This case study will focus on the care of a primiparous woman. In order to respect her right to privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of her care, and in accordance with the NMC code, she will be referred to under the pseudonym of “Emma” (Nursing and Midwifery Council,

Obesity in pregnant women is a global concern. In The United States, obesity is a critical public health issue—one in every three women is obese (Masho, et al). This issue becomes crucial in the context that 36% of pregnant women in the United States are obese (Shub, et al). Studies show a strong association between maternal obesity and health risks during pregnancy and labor. In addition, a disconnect in perception and awareness exists such that most obese pregnant women who gain weight during pregnancy underestimate their Body Mass Index (BMI); and also have poor knowledge about the risk associated with obesity.

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011-2012, more than 34% of all adults are obese in that their BMI exceeds 24 (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014). Interestingly, though this prevalence is high, it seems as though there has not been an increase since the same study done from 2003-2004. This seems to imply that we have plateaued at the peak that we have been rising towards since 1976 (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014). To take this further, during the time of increasing incidences, in a study done from 1990-2004, it was seen that “the incidence of maternal obesity at the start of pregnancy [was] increasing and accelerating” which corresponds with the previous study’s findings (Heslehurst, et al.,

Obesity is a public health issue that has devastatingly developed into a global epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is dramatically increasing worldwide at an appalling and intimidating rate with more than 1.9 billion adults aged18 years and older being overweight in 2014. Out of these 1.9 billion adults being overweight, 600 million were classified obese. While the issue regarding overweight and obesity are prevalent in all countries, the National Health and Medical Research Council stated that Australia’s obesity levels have been developing faster than any countries in the world over the past thirty years. Although obesity may have been primarily considered as a personal concern three decades ago; it is overwhelmingly a societal concern today in Australia. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have measured that in 2011 and 2012, around 63% of Australian adults had the characteristics of being overweight and corpulence. That is over a quarter of the adult population in Australia being obese.

When thinking of public health in regards specifically to obesity, a study into maternal obesity and the long-term health of the offspring, found that ‘maternal obesity has been associated with a number of long-term adverse health outcomes in the offspring, including lifelong risk of obesity and metabolic dysregulation with increased insulin resistance, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, as well as behavioural problems and risk of asthma’ (O’Reilly et al, 2012:1), this highlights to us the implications not just to mother, but the long term effects to her child.

Obesity is the problem when the individual gains excess of body fat that it may cause a negative impact on his health in terms of suffering from type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or even cancer (Brownson et al., 2009). With the increase in fat in the body, the risk of these diseases increases in the individual. The problem of obesity has significantly increased with time amongst the people of Australia. 28% adults were obese as per the statistics of the year 2014-15 in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018). The children are also suffering from the problem in the country. It has been noted that for the year 2014-15, one out of four children aged between 2 to 17 years were found obese or overweight

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as ‘abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health’. (1) A general measure used to monitor obesity is the body mass index (BMI). A person with a BMI of 25+ is considered overweight and 30+ is obese. Between 2011 – 2012 62.8% of Australians adults, aged 18+ were overweight or obese, with 27.5% of the cases being obese. This has increased by 6.5% since 1995. (2) The obesity epidemic in Australia needs to be addressed urgently as it is a precursor to most preventable lifestyle diseases and a BMI over 25 is the second highest contributor to burden of disease in this country. (3) According to WHO, worldwide the rate of obesity has doubled from 1980-2014. (4) In 2014-2015,

The most severe stage of overweight, Obesity, is a serious medical condition that Australians cannot afford to ignore. Obesity has been linked to low self-esteem and a diminishment in the overall quality of life for the individual. (AIHW, 2010). More importantly, obesity can result in the development of musculo-skeletal problems, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. (AIHW, 2010). Of these diseases, the

Over the past several years obesity hasn’t just increased drastically, it has doubled. Due to the drastic increase and the rate of obesity health factors have also went up significantly. Obesity contributes to many major health complications such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. In this paper we are going to explore the causes and effects of obesity, and what we as nurses can do to help.

The main purpose of this assessment is to guarantee a healthy baby, with low risk to Angie’s health. At present Angie weigh’s 177.5 lbs. and her height is 5’5”, this puts her BMI at 30 she is classified as being obese (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2015, p. 292). She is currently experiencing some complications at this stage in her pregnancy. Additionally she desires to keep her weight in line with the recommended weight gain guidelines for pregnant women which are about 11-20 lbs., during her entire nine months of pregnancy (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2015, p. 369).

In Australia, obesity has a substantial prevalence in the population. In 2014.15, 63.4% of Australians aged 18 and over were overweight or obese, which equates to approximately 11.2 million people. Of these 63.4%, 35.5% were overweight (6.3 million people), and 27.9% (4.9 million people) were obese (1). These statistics are 10% higher than in 1995, when approximately 53% of Australians were either overweight or obese (2).

Reading the article “Childhood Obesity”, in the International Encyclopedia of Rehabilitation written by Elizabeth Wambui Kimani-Murage obtained from the internet, gave clarity and insight into the vast and significant problem we face in America with the childhood obesity crisis. The author illuminated many good points as to the definition, cause, and repercussions of this devastating epidemic. The article was factual and contained much valuable data and statistical evidence. The facts and in-depth illustrations brought forth by the author will be beneficial in supporting my thesis, in part, by illustrating the ties the junk food industry has in detrimentally impacting the health of the nation’s children by producing poor quality foods.

In recent times, obesity has come to be regarded an issue that needs prompt intervention. This book thoroughly reviews a number of approaches that can be adopted to prevent obesity from a public health perspective. In its 4th chapter, the book critically evaluates the various health consequences of obesity. This text can be viewed as an update of its previous edition. This has the effect of enhancing its credibility.