Medical And Social Significance Of Obesity In Obstetric Practice

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age has increased significantly over recent decades and is now recognized as a global public health problem. Obesity during the pre-pregnancy period and gestation is associated with a wide range of obstetric, metabolic, and cardiovascular complications that adversely affect maternal and fetal outcomes. Excess adipose tissue contributes to insulin resistance, chronic low-grade inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hormonal imbalance, which increase the risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preeclampsia, thromboembolic events, and operative delivery. In addition, maternal obesity alters fetal metabolic programming through dysregulation of glucose, lipid, insulin, and leptin metabolism, leading to fetal macrosomia and an increased risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome in offspring later in life. Despite advances in antenatal care, the incidence of pregnancy complications associated with obesity remains high. Current evidence highlights the importance of preconception counseling, weight management, and multidisciplinary monitoring throughout pregnancy to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. Further studies focusing on metabolic and endothelial changes in overweight pregnant women are required to optimize preventive and therapeutic strategies.