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First Steps Database

Obesity and Pregnancy

 

Summary

National obesity and overweight rates, as defined by the body mass index (BMI), are rapidly increasing and often referred to by public health officials as the "obesity epidemic." Multi-faceted interventions are needed to reduce the prevalence of obesity in the United States.

Body mass index, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters, is used to define obesity. The recommended BMI for women is 18.5-25. A BMI from 25-29.9 is classified as overweight and a BMI of greater than 30 is considered to be obese. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) reveal that the mean BMI for women ages 20-74 has increased from 24.9 in 1960-62 to 28.2 in 1999-2002.

In 2003, the Washington State birth certificate began collecting mother's height which makes calculation of the BMI possible. While missing data prevented calculating a BMI for 21% of 2003 birth certificates, we hope that reporting will improve in future years. This fact sheet will describe the prevalence of pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity, as defined by BMI, in women who gave birth in Washington State in 2003. This report will also assess the risk of poor birth outcomes for women who are classified as overweight or obese.


Graph: Prevalence of Obesity Among Females

  • The 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) shows that the prevalence of obesity is greatest among non-Hispanic black women (49.6%), compared to Mexican-American women (38.9%) and non-Hispanic white women (31.3%).
  • In Washington State among women aged 15-44 who gave birth in 2003, American Indian women have the highest prevalence of obesity (34.2%) compared to black women (28.4%), Mexican American women (23.5%), and white women (21.5%).
  • Differences in the prevalence of obesity between national and Washington State data may reflect the tendency for BMI to increase as women age, since the Washington State data report the BMI of women in their child-bearing years who are younger than the age group represented in the NHANES sample.
     

Download

 Click here to download the fact sheet: First Steps Database, OBesity and Pregnancy

 

 Click on the PDF symbol to the left and download the fact sheet: "First Steps Database; Obesity and Pregnancy" Publication Date: 11/2005. Report Number 9.78. (KB 36)

To view this Portable Document Format (PDF) you may experience errors or unexpected behavior while opening or reading the file you downloaded. Therefore, we suggest that you always use the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Persons with disabilities may call to request a paper copy.

 

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Modified: Wednesday February 01 2006  

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