Body Mass Index, Overweight, and Obesity in Swedish Women Born Post-term

• BackgroundThere is increasing evidence that post-term birth (42 weeks of gestation) is associated with adverse long-term outcomes. We assessed whether women born post-term displayed increased risk of overweight and obesity in adulthood. MethodsData were collected at first antenatal visit (similar to 10-12 weeks of gestation) on singleton Swedish women aged 18 years in 1991-2009 (mean age 26.1 years), who were born post-term (n = 27 153) or at term (37-41 weeks of gestation; n = 184 245). Study outcomes were evaluated for continuous associations with gestational age. Stratified analyses were carried out comparing women born post-term or at term. Analyses were also run with a 2-week buffer between groups to account for possible errors in gestational age estimation, comparing women born very post-term (43 weeks of gestation; n = 5761) to those born within a narrower term window (38-40 weeks of gestation; n = 130 110). ResultsIncreasing gestational age was associated with greater adult weight and body mass index (BMI). Stratified analyses showed that women born post-term were 0.5 kg heavier and had BMI 0.2 kg/m(2) greater than those born at term. Differences were more marked between women born very post-term (43 weeks) vs. a narrower term group (38-40 weeks): 1.0 kg and 0.3 kg/m(2). The adjusted relative risks of overweight/obesity and obesity in women born very post-term were 1.13 and 1.12 times higher, respectively, than in those born at term. ConclusionsPost-term birth is associated with greater BMI and increased risk of overweight and obesity in adulthood, particularly among women born 43 weeks of gestation.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

adult

body mass index

females

gestational age

obesity

overweight

prolonged gestation

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)