Consequences of maternal obesity on neonatal outcomes and cardio-metabolic health in infancy
Résumé
Obesity is a growing global health problem and is well-recognized to be a major contributing factor for increased risk of several non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer in both the developed and developing world. This development is multi-factorial, but an increasingly seden- tary lifestyle coupled with unhealthy dietary practices are key risk factors. Effective interventions for weight management would therefore not only be seen to reduce the epidemic of obesity, but also to lessen the risk for obesity-related morbidities. This article will briefly describe some factors that can cause obesity. Since men and women are different in their fat mass and distribution profile, and that ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by obesity, it is conceivable that disparities also exist in the occurrence of obesity and the consequential development of non-communicable diseases. Although the major adverse health outcomes due to obesity are mentioned, the influence and the role of sex, specifically women’s health, and ethnicity in the increased risk as well as development of obesity-induced health complications will also be discussed.