Obesity Medicine

Obesity in women

Obesity has wide-ranging effects on both reproductive health and chronic medical conditions in women. Being overweight or obese, woman are at higher risk of diabetes, Coronary artery disease, back pain and knee Osteoarthritis. Obesity negatively affects both contraception and fertility. Maternal obesity is linked with higher rates of cesarean section as well as higher rates of high risk obstetrical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Pregnancy outcomes are negatively affected by maternal obesity , increased risk of Neonatal mortality and malformations. Maternal obesity is associated with a decreased intention to breastfeed, decreased initiation of breastfeeding, and decreased duration of breastfeeding. There seems to be an association between obesity and depression in women, though cultural factors may influence this association. Obese women are at higher risk for multiple cancers, including endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and perhaps ovarian Cancer.