Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated with Maternal Obesity and Overweight: A Cross Sectional Study among Moroccan Women in Marrakech

Obesity is becoming a real challenge for public health among pregnant women. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors and outcomes linked to maternal obesity and overweight.

A cross-sectional study was carried out from Nov 2021 to Dec 2022 in the maternity health facility of Mohammed VI Hospital, as well as in one of the main health centers with a delivery unit in Marrakech, Morocco. Parturients were divided into four categories according to their pre pregnancy BMI: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. We used the chi-square test (χ²) to analyze the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with maternal obesity and overweight. The same tool was utilized to explore maternal and neonatal complications.

Overall, 400 parturient women with singleton pregnancies were included in the study. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29.8% and 31.5% respectively. Maternal age, type of housing, practicing sports, feelings about pregnancy were correlated with an increased risk of maternal obesity and being overweight. The risks of gestational diabetes, hypertension, anemia, cesarean delivery, and fetal macrosomia were higher among overweight and obese women compared to normal weight ones. The differences were significant (P<0.05).

Maternal overweight and obesity are strongly linked with socio-economic, lifestyle, and psychological factors which can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby. Further research is needed to develop appropriate preventive measures and interventions for maternal obesity and overweight.