A new warning is calling for national action to reduce maternal obesity that affects one in four pregnancies.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is signalling that obesity in women and people of childbearing age is an urgent and growing public health concern in the UK.
Its new RCP View on Obesity and Maternal Health was developed by a group of leading health experts, including the University of Southampton's Professor Keith Godfrey .
Professor Godfrey is Co-Chair of the UK Preconception Partnership and a theme lead in the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre.
Growing health challenge
Obesity in pregnancy is linked to far higher rates of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, caesarean birth and postpartum haemorrhage. Rates of maternal obesity are highest in the most deprived communities, reinforcing existing health inequalities.
These risks can be fatal. Recent national findings reported that 64% of women who died during pregnancy or within six weeks of birth were living with overweight or obesity.
Rising rates of maternal obesity will be increasing pressure on maternity services and contributing to avoidable harm. Emerging evidence shows an association between maternal obesity and the increased risk to their children of cardiometabolic disease and other adverse health outcomes later in life. This compounds inequalities across generations.
Pre-pregnancy education
In the new RCP View, the RCP calls for urgent action across the whole system to support women's health before, during and after pregnancy.
The policy briefing calls for coordinated, system-wide action across seven areas.
Professor Godfrey said: "One of the key recommendations from this report is that the government Departments of Education and of Health and Social Care should develop and deliver an explicit and structured approach to universal and culturally competent pre-pregnancy education for all genders.
"This should consider impacts of obesity, diet and nutrition and physical activity on reproductive health across the life course, starting from primary school through higher education and supported by workplace health education."
'Bold, joined-up action' needed
The RCP View recognises obesity as a chronic, systemic illness, shaped by health inequalities, genetic influences, ethnicity, social and commercial factors, stigma, mental health and the environments people live in.
Dr Kath McCullough, special adviser on obesity at RCP, said: "Maternal obesity is one of the clearest signs that we need to tackle the root causes of obesity and weight gain, recognising the benefits not only for pregnancy but also women's health and future generations. We know that obesity is driven by inequality, poverty and environments that make healthy choices harder every day.
"We need bold, joined-up action across the system - from food policy and education to healthcare services, professional training and research to better prevent obesity in the first place and better support women living with obesity in the pre- and postnatal periods. Getting this right would transform outcomes for families and deliver lasting benefits for the NHS."
