# Study of the Prevalence of Obesity and Its Association with Maternal and Neonatal Characteristics and Morbidity Profile in a Population of Moroccan Pregnant Women

Authors: Fatima Taoudi; Fatima Zahra Laamiri; Fatima Barich; Nadia Hasswane; Hassan Aguenaou; Amina Barkat
Journal: Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
 (2021)

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## Abstract

Obesity is a real public health problem whose prevalence continues to increase throughout the world. It affects all age groups and does not spare pregnant women. This work aims to determine the prevalence of obesity and to study its association with maternal and neonatal characteristics and the morbidity profile of pregnancy. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out in the maternity ward of the prefectural hospital center called “Sidi Lahcen” in Témara, Morocco, over a 12-month period. Maternal and neonatal data are collected through a preestablished questionnaire, and anthropometric parameters were recorded. 390 participants, aged between 18 and 43 years, were included in this study, with a prevalence of overweight and obesity of 34.9% and 41%, respectively. Correlation results revealed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly elevated in women over 25 yearsp<0.001. The rate of caesarean section was four times higher in obese women compared to women of normal weight (53.8% versus 12.8%; p=0.018). The over-term was significantly high in the obese group compared to the nonobese group (33.8% versus 20.2%; p=0.013). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between gestational body mass index and newborn birth weight (r = 0.29; p<0.001) as well as a high prevalence of macrosomia in newborns of comparatively obese women compared to newborns of nonobese women (17.6% versus 9.6%; p=0.041). The correlation analysis with the morbidity profile showed a significantly high preponderance of gestational diabetes, anemia, and toxemia of pregnancy in the obese group compared to the normal group p<0.001. This study clearly demonstrated that obesity during pregnancy is associated with higher risks of maternal and neonatal complications, the management of which places a burden on the health system as well as families. These data reinforce the need to improve antenatal care for the prevention of obesity and its preventable complications.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Obesity has been considered by the WHO as a global epidemic since 1998. It is a real public health problem. Its global prevalence has almost tripled over the past four decades and continues to rise in developed and developing countries [1, 2].In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults (18 years and older) were overweight. Of this total, more than 650 million were obese [3]. Today globally, overweight and obesity are linked to more deaths than underweight.There are more obese than underweight people in all regions except parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia [3]. Obesity leads to serious health consequences, in particular by the increase in cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, musculoarticular disorders, and a few cancers (breast, endometrium, and colon), but also through moral harm as a result of the discrimination it entails [4, 5].Since obesity does not spare pregnant women, it is an obstetric risk as well as antenatal factor prepartum or postpartum, both on the fetal and the maternal side [6, 7].It is responsible for a large number of maternal and fetal complications. Obese patients have three times more infertility problems than normal weight women [7], in addition to a significant increase in the rate of abortions before 20 weeks of amenorrhea (SA), regardless of the mode of conception in patients [8].In addition, overweight and obese women are prone to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and genital and urinary tract infections [9]. During work, obesity is associated with lengthening the duration of the first stage and a significant decrease in uterine contractility [10, 11].As for postpartum complications, overweight or obese women are at risk of hemorrhage from delivery and massive postpartum hemorrhage [9]. Furthermore, weight gain during pregnancy accounts for 20–35% of long-term changes in maternal weight [12].This cannot be a burden on the health system associated with higher levels of postpartum maternal weight retention and an unwanted cardiometabolic risk profile in the offspring [13, 14].For fetal complications, newborns with obese mothers more often suffer from neonatal distress, meconium inhalation, and neonatal death [15]. They are about twice as likely to have fetal macrosomia [9, 16].In Morocco, the prevalence of obesity is high among women. Indeed, obesity was detected in 20% (18.9–21.1) of respondents, three times more common in women 29% (27.4–30.6) compared to men 11.0% (9.5–12.6) (MS, 2018) [17].In addition, numerous studies have shown a strong influence of socioeconomic status on obesity, especially in women, causing changes in their behaviors that alter their energy intake and energy expenditure and therefore affect their body fat storage [18, 19].However, studies of obesity during pregnancy are few, while obesity in pregnant women poses many obstetric and perinatal problems.In this context, our present work proposes to determine the prevalence of obesity and to study its association with maternal and neonatal characteristics and the morbidity profile of pregnancy.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Type of Study

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was carried out at the maternity ward of the prefectural hospital center “Sidi Lahcen” in Témara, Morocco, over a 12-month period from October 2018 to September 2019.


### 2.2. Study Population

The study concerned a population of pregnant women who gave birth in this maternity ward.


### 2.3. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

We included in this study all parturients with a physiological pregnancy who gave birth in this hospital during the study period and who agreed to participate in our survey.The study excludes women who do not know their weight before pregnancy. Similarly, women who had a serious complication of childbirth, women with a mental pathology, women who do not consent, and women with whom the pretest was performed were excluded from the study.


### 2.4. Sampling Method

The sampling method used in this study is of the probability type. The survey was carried out on all the women who gave birth in the maternity ward of the Sidi Lahcen regional prefectural hospital in Témara of the prefectural hospital center “Sidi Lahcen” in Témara. Based on the Lorenz formula developed by Cochran and Ardilly [20, 21], n = t2 × p × (1 – p)/m2, where t = 1.96, and based on a regional prevalence of 14.4% [22] and an accuracy of 5%, a minimum population of 189 are required to obtain statistically representative data. In this work, we recruited a global sample of 390 pregnant women.


### 2.5. Data Collection Methods

Data collection is carried out by a face-to-face interview with the women via a preestablished questionnaire tested and validated by experts in perinatal care (research team in health and nutrition of the mother and child couple, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohammed V Rabat University).The investigation explored several aspects, including the following:(a)
Demographic and socioeconomic data (age of mothers, marital status, place of residence, level of education, occupation of mother and head of household, monthly income, etc.).(b)
Medical and obstetric history (chronic pathology, history of diabetes, number of pregnancies, number of abortions, neonatal death). In addition, the study was supplemented by means of the obstetrical file which made it possible (blood glucose, complete blood count (CBC)), monitoring of the pregnancy, the number of prenatal consultations, and gestational age.(c)
Maternal anthropometric data.Women in the study were chosen based on knowledge of their pregestational weight. Then the anthropometric data were collected on admission, namely,Weight: the weight of the women is taken with a portable scale, scale of the type SECA, maximum load 150 kg, and minimum load 10 kg. The reading is made to within 0.5 kg.The women are weighed with the least amount of clothing possible, in a standing position, well straight, the arms in the extension of the body. The scale is calibrated regularly and is calibrated several times during each session.Waist: it has been taken with the help of a graduated height up to 2 m. The women are measured barefoot, the heels joined, the arms extended along the body, the heels, the shoulders, and the buttocks touching the height. The lower edge of the orbits of their eyes in the plane of Frankfurt.The reading is done to within 0.1 cm. Women are asked to remove their scarf before performing this measurement.Calculation of BMI: the gestational body mass index of parturients was calculated by dividing weight over height squared. Then, the women were further subdivided according to WHO recommendations into four BMI groups: (1) the underweight group (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), (2) the normal group (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25), (3) the overweight group (25 ≤ IMC < 30), and (4) the obese group (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) [20].(d).
Neonatal data are as follows:Anthropometric measurements in newborns:Weight: the measurement is made using a calibrated flail scale with a maximum capacity of 20 kg and a minimum load of 500 g. The scale is calibrated before each weighing. The weight of newborns is taken from birth, after the first care following the birth. The child is naked, lying on the scale carrier, and its weight is determined when the scale is in balance.Apgar score:The Apgar score is a simple method for quickly assessing the health and vital signs of a newborn baby. It teaches us about the adaptation of the newborn to ectopic life. It was designed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952 [23], with five criteria, namely, appearance (skin coloring), pulse (heart activity), grimace (reactivity to stimuli), activity (muscle tone), and breathing (frequency and respiratory efforts).The Apgar score must be established in the first, fifth, and tenth minutes. When you have a score ≥7, this is a normal newborn.An Apgar score of less than seven should lead to appropriate management, because it doubles the risk of premature death [24].


### 2.6. Ethical Consideration

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco (Ethical Approval number 69 delivered on 31 January 2017). Before data collection, invited participants were informed about the study objectives and methods, and both oral and written consent were obtained from all who were recruited.


### 2.7. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS epidemiological software (SPSS version 13.0). The Kolmogorov Smirnov test was used to study the normality of the distribution of quantitative variables. Thus, the quantitative variables with symmetrical distribution (age of mothers, gestational body mass index, and gestational age) were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Quantitative variables with asymmetric distribution (birth weight of the newborn) are expressed as median and quartile. Qualitative variables are expressed in numbers and corresponding percentages. The study of the association between corpulence and maternal and neonatal parameters was carried out by the Pearson khi2 test or the exact Fisher test. Pearson’s correlation was used to study the association between gestational body mass index and birth weight. A threshold ofp<0.05 was considered significant for all analyses performed.


## 2.1. Type of Study

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was carried out at the maternity ward of the prefectural hospital center “Sidi Lahcen” in Témara, Morocco, over a 12-month period from October 2018 to September 2019.


## 2.2. Study Population

The study concerned a population of pregnant women who gave birth in this maternity ward.


## 2.3. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

We included in this study all parturients with a physiological pregnancy who gave birth in this hospital during the study period and who agreed to participate in our survey.The study excludes women who do not know their weight before pregnancy. Similarly, women who had a serious complication of childbirth, women with a mental pathology, women who do not consent, and women with whom the pretest was performed were excluded from the study.


## 2.4. Sampling Method

The sampling method used in this study is of the probability type. The survey was carried out on all the women who gave birth in the maternity ward of the Sidi Lahcen regional prefectural hospital in Témara of the prefectural hospital center “Sidi Lahcen” in Témara. Based on the Lorenz formula developed by Cochran and Ardilly [20, 21], n = t2 × p × (1 – p)/m2, where t = 1.96, and based on a regional prevalence of 14.4% [22] and an accuracy of 5%, a minimum population of 189 are required to obtain statistically representative data. In this work, we recruited a global sample of 390 pregnant women.


## 2.5. Data Collection Methods

Data collection is carried out by a face-to-face interview with the women via a preestablished questionnaire tested and validated by experts in perinatal care (research team in health and nutrition of the mother and child couple, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohammed V Rabat University).The investigation explored several aspects, including the following:(a)
Demographic and socioeconomic data (age of mothers, marital status, place of residence, level of education, occupation of mother and head of household, monthly income, etc.).(b)
Medical and obstetric history (chronic pathology, history of diabetes, number of pregnancies, number of abortions, neonatal death). In addition, the study was supplemented by means of the obstetrical file which made it possible (blood glucose, complete blood count (CBC)), monitoring of the pregnancy, the number of prenatal consultations, and gestational age.(c)
Maternal anthropometric data.Women in the study were chosen based on knowledge of their pregestational weight. Then the anthropometric data were collected on admission, namely,Weight: the weight of the women is taken with a portable scale, scale of the type SECA, maximum load 150 kg, and minimum load 10 kg. The reading is made to within 0.5 kg.The women are weighed with the least amount of clothing possible, in a standing position, well straight, the arms in the extension of the body. The scale is calibrated regularly and is calibrated several times during each session.Waist: it has been taken with the help of a graduated height up to 2 m. The women are measured barefoot, the heels joined, the arms extended along the body, the heels, the shoulders, and the buttocks touching the height. The lower edge of the orbits of their eyes in the plane of Frankfurt.The reading is done to within 0.1 cm. Women are asked to remove their scarf before performing this measurement.Calculation of BMI: the gestational body mass index of parturients was calculated by dividing weight over height squared. Then, the women were further subdivided according to WHO recommendations into four BMI groups: (1) the underweight group (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), (2) the normal group (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25), (3) the overweight group (25 ≤ IMC < 30), and (4) the obese group (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) [20].(d).
Neonatal data are as follows:Anthropometric measurements in newborns:Weight: the measurement is made using a calibrated flail scale with a maximum capacity of 20 kg and a minimum load of 500 g. The scale is calibrated before each weighing. The weight of newborns is taken from birth, after the first care following the birth. The child is naked, lying on the scale carrier, and its weight is determined when the scale is in balance.Apgar score:The Apgar score is a simple method for quickly assessing the health and vital signs of a newborn baby. It teaches us about the adaptation of the newborn to ectopic life. It was designed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952 [23], with five criteria, namely, appearance (skin coloring), pulse (heart activity), grimace (reactivity to stimuli), activity (muscle tone), and breathing (frequency and respiratory efforts).The Apgar score must be established in the first, fifth, and tenth minutes. When you have a score ≥7, this is a normal newborn.An Apgar score of less than seven should lead to appropriate management, because it doubles the risk of premature death [24].


## 2.6. Ethical Consideration

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco (Ethical Approval number 69 delivered on 31 January 2017). Before data collection, invited participants were informed about the study objectives and methods, and both oral and written consent were obtained from all who were recruited.


## 2.7. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS epidemiological software (SPSS version 13.0). The Kolmogorov Smirnov test was used to study the normality of the distribution of quantitative variables. Thus, the quantitative variables with symmetrical distribution (age of mothers, gestational body mass index, and gestational age) were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Quantitative variables with asymmetric distribution (birth weight of the newborn) are expressed as median and quartile. Qualitative variables are expressed in numbers and corresponding percentages. The study of the association between corpulence and maternal and neonatal parameters was carried out by the Pearson khi2 test or the exact Fisher test. Pearson’s correlation was used to study the association between gestational body mass index and birth weight. A threshold ofp<0.05 was considered significant for all analyses performed.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Sociodemographic Profile of Women Surveyed

In this study, 390 parturients were surveyed when they were admitted in the maternity ward of the Sidi Lahcen prefectural hospital in Témara, Morocco. Analysis in Table1 showed that the age of women varied from 18 to 43 years with an average of 29.69 ± 5.8 years and a preponderance of the 25 to 34 age group (47.4%).Table 1
Sociodemographic characteristics among pregnant women.
CharacteristicsPregnant womenN = 39095% confidence interval (CI)Age groups (years)Less than 25108(27.7)23.1–32.125 to 34185(47.4)42.6–52.635 and more97(24.9)20.5–29.2Area of residenceUrban210(53.8)48.5–59.2Rural180(46.2)40.8–51.5Level of educationIlliterate189(48.5)43.3–53.3Primary or koranic school72(18.5)14.6–22.8Primary65(16.7)13.1–20.6Secondary52(13.3)10–16.7Higher education12(3.1)1.5–4.9Occupation of womenHouse wife358(91.8)89.2–94.6Employed32(8.2)5.4–10.8Occupation of the household headWithout job36(9.2)6.2–12.3With job302(77.4)73.3–81.5Retired52(13.3)10–16.7Medical coverageNo232(59.5)54.6–64.1Yes158(40.5)35.9–45.4ContraceptionNo116(29.7)25.1–34.4Oral contraception263(67.4)63.1–72.1IUD10(2.6)1.3–4.4Others1(0.3)0.0–0.8Pregnancy monitoringNo11(2.8)1.3–4.6Yes379(97.2)95.4–98.7Note: values are expressed as number and percentage. IUD: intrauterine device.The distribution by place of residence was statistically similar. In contrast, the distribution by level of education was dominated by illiterate women with a proportion of 48.5%. The distribution of women according to their spouse’s income, the occupational situation, and medical coverage shows on the one hand that 57.7% had low income and on the other hand that the majority of women were inactive (91.8%) and more than half (59.5%) were without medical coverage. In addition, the majority use oral contraception (67.4%).


### 3.2. Anthropometric Data and Medical and Obstetric History of Pregnant Women

Analysis of anthropometric parameters (Table2) showed that the average BMI of our population was 28.44 ± 4.79 kg/m2, with a preponderance of overweight and obesity prevalent at 34.9% and 41%, respectively. Analysis of the results in relation to the obstetric history of the women showed that the majority of women were multiparous and had no history of abortion (75.4%) and fetal death (93.1%). Of those with a medical history, 22.3% had a family history of diabetes, 3.6% had chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, and 3.6% had chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, epilepsy, and thyroid problems.Table 2
Population distribution of female participants by anthropometric information and medical and obstetric historyα: values are expressed as number and percentage.
CharacteristicsPregnant womenN = 39095% confidence interval (CI)BMIα trancheUnderweight3(0.8)0.1–1.8Normal91(23.3)19.5–27.7Overweight136(34.9)30.3–39.5Obesity160(41)36.2–45.9Chronic pathologyαNo376(96.4)94.4–98.2Yes14(3.6)1.8–5.6History of diabetesαNo303(77.7)73.6–81.8Yes87(22.3)18.2–26.4Gravidity/parityα1 pregnancy90(23.1)19–27.72 pregnancies153(39.2)34.6–44.13 pregnancies147(37.7)32.6–42.3Previous abortionαNeither294(75.4)70.8–79.71 abortion71(18.2)14.4–22.32 abortions21((5.4)3.1–7.73 abortions4(1)0.3–2.1Neonatal deathαNo363(93.1)90.1–95.4Yes27(6 .9)4.6–9.5Prenatal consultationαLess than 4 CP119(30.5)25.9–35.64 or more CPs271(69.5)64.4–74.1Iron supplementationαNo279(71.5)67.2–76.2Yes111(28.5)23.8–32.8Note: BMI: underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m2; normal: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2; overweight: 25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2; obesity: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. CP: prenatal consultation.Moreover, the majority of women (97.2%) had a follow-up pregnancy either in the public sector (57%), in the private sector (21.1%), or in both (21.9%). In addition, 69.5% of women had at least 4 prenatal consultations, and 28.5% of women received iron supplementation during pregnancy.


### 3.3. Maternal and Neonatal Data

Analysis of maternal data (Table3) revealed that the average gestational age of pregnant women in amenorrhea weeks was 39.53 ± 1.56. Cesarean delivery affected 20% of our parturients. Regarding the neonatal data, we found that macrosomia affected 15.6% of newborns and that the Apgar score at 5 min was less than 7 in the majority of newborns (71.5%).Table 3
Birth history and neonatal characteristics.
CharacteristicsPregnant womenN = 39095% confidence interval (CI)Gestational ageβ39.53 ± 1.5639.37–39.68Mode of deliveryαVaginal312(80)75.4–83.8Caesarean section78(20)16.2–24.6InstrumentationαNo279(84.0)80.1–88.0Episiotomy41(12.3)9–16Ventouse12(3.6)1.5–5.7SexαFemale194(49.7)45.1–55.1Male196(50.3)44.9–54.9Weight (g)ɣ3400[3100–3800]3400–3450Weight bandHypotrophy15(3.8)2.3–5.9Normal314(80.5)76.7–84.6Macrosomia61(15.6)12.1–19Apgarα at 5 minApgar < 7279(71.5)67.2–76.2Apgar ≥ 7111(28.5)23.8–32.8DeathαNo379(97.2)95.4–98.7Yes11(2.8)1.3–4.6Note:α values are expressed as number and percentage. β values are expressed as mean and standard deviation. ɣ values are expressed as median and quartile.


### 3.4. Study of the Association between Body Size and Maternal and Neonatal Parameters

Table4 showed the correlation between body size and maternal and neonatal parameters.Table 4
Distribution of female partners by sociodemographic, obstetric, and body size parameters.
VariablesPregnant womenN = 390Underweightn = 3Normaln = 91Overweightn = 136Obesen = 160p∗Age (year)<252(1.9)31(28.7)51(47.2)24(22.2)<0.00125 à 350(0)44(23.8)57(30.8)84(45.4)≥351(1.0)16(16.5)28(28.9)52(53.6)Area of residenceUrban2(1)50(23.8)73(34.8)85(40.5)0.982Rural1(0.6)41(22.8)63(35)75(41.7)Level of educationIlliterate2(0)55(21.1)85(32.6)119(45.6)0.132Primary or koranic school1(1.5)16(24.6)28(43.1)20(30.8)Secondary or higher education0(0)20(31.3)23(35.9)21(32.8)Occupation of womenHouse wife3(0.8)84(23.5)125(34.9)146(40.8)0.978Employed0(0)7(21.9)11(34.4)14(43.8)ParityPrimiparous0(0)29(32.2)34(37.8)27(30)0.026Second screen2(1.3)34(22.2)59(38.6)58(37.9)Multiparous҂1(0.7)28(19)43(29.3)75(51)Mode of deliveryLow channel2(0.6)81(26)111(35.6)118(37.8)0.018Caesarean section1(1.3)10(12.8)25(32.1)42(53.8)Previous abortionNo abortion1(0.3)77(26.2)106(36.1)110(37.4)0.0411 abortion2(2.8)11(15.5)20(28.2)38(53.5)2 abortions0(0)3(14.3)9(42.9)9(42.9)3 abortions0(0)0(0)1(25.0)3(75.0)Note: values are expressed in terms of number and percentage.∗Fisher’s exact test. A p value < 0.05 is considered significant. ҂: (Babinski A, Kerenyi T, Torok O, Grazi V, Lapinski RH, Berkowitz RL. Perinatal outcome in grand and great grand multiparity: effect of parity on obstetric risk factors. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999; 181(3):669–74). The multiparous is a woman whose parity is between 2 and 5.Analysis of the results revealed that the overall prevalence of obesity was significantly higherp<0.001 among women aged over 35 years (53.6%) compared to women aged 25 to 35 years (45.4%) and women under 25 (22.2%).On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were observed among female respondents (mother’s work, educational attainment, and area of residence).Regarding obstetric parameters, the prevalence of obesity was significantly high in multiparous women compared to first-time women (51% versus 30%;p=0.026).In addition, the rate of caesarean sections was four times higher in obese women compared to normal weight women (53.8% versus 12.8%) and statistically significantp=0.018. Similarly, the prevalence of obesity and overweight was significantly high among women with multiple abortions p=0.041.Furthermore, the prevalence of women who exceeded the term was significantly high in the obese group compared to the nonobese group (33.8% versus 20.2%;p=0.013).In relation to the association between BMI and neonatal data, our results revealed, on the one hand, a statistically significant positive correlation between gestational body mass index and birth weight (r = 0.29; p<0.001) and, on the other hand, a prevalence of macrosomia in obese women compared to nonobese women (17.6% versus 9.6%; p=0.041).


### 3.5. Pregnancy Morbidity Profile and Its Association with Body Size of the Parturients

Our study also explored the pathologies that occurred during pregnancy. Overall analysis of the results (Figure1) showed that 90/390 (23.1%) had at least one morbidity whose profile was dominated by anemia (58.89%) followed by gestational diabetes (35.56%) and finally gravid toxemia (5.56%). Analysis of the morbidity profile by body size showed that the percentages of women with gestational diabetes, anemia, and gravid toxemia were significantly elevated in the overweight and obese group compared to the normal group. This difference was statistically significant p<0.001.Figure 1
Distribution of parturients by body mass index and morbidity profile. Note: underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m2; normal: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2; overweight: 25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2; obese: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. ∗Fisher’s exact test. A value of p<0.05 is considered significant.


## 3.1. Sociodemographic Profile of Women Surveyed

In this study, 390 parturients were surveyed when they were admitted in the maternity ward of the Sidi Lahcen prefectural hospital in Témara, Morocco. Analysis in Table1 showed that the age of women varied from 18 to 43 years with an average of 29.69 ± 5.8 years and a preponderance of the 25 to 34 age group (47.4%).Table 1
Sociodemographic characteristics among pregnant women.
CharacteristicsPregnant womenN = 39095% confidence interval (CI)Age groups (years)Less than 25108(27.7)23.1–32.125 to 34185(47.4)42.6–52.635 and more97(24.9)20.5–29.2Area of residenceUrban210(53.8)48.5–59.2Rural180(46.2)40.8–51.5Level of educationIlliterate189(48.5)43.3–53.3Primary or koranic school72(18.5)14.6–22.8Primary65(16.7)13.1–20.6Secondary52(13.3)10–16.7Higher education12(3.1)1.5–4.9Occupation of womenHouse wife358(91.8)89.2–94.6Employed32(8.2)5.4–10.8Occupation of the household headWithout job36(9.2)6.2–12.3With job302(77.4)73.3–81.5Retired52(13.3)10–16.7Medical coverageNo232(59.5)54.6–64.1Yes158(40.5)35.9–45.4ContraceptionNo116(29.7)25.1–34.4Oral contraception263(67.4)63.1–72.1IUD10(2.6)1.3–4.4Others1(0.3)0.0–0.8Pregnancy monitoringNo11(2.8)1.3–4.6Yes379(97.2)95.4–98.7Note: values are expressed as number and percentage. IUD: intrauterine device.The distribution by place of residence was statistically similar. In contrast, the distribution by level of education was dominated by illiterate women with a proportion of 48.5%. The distribution of women according to their spouse’s income, the occupational situation, and medical coverage shows on the one hand that 57.7% had low income and on the other hand that the majority of women were inactive (91.8%) and more than half (59.5%) were without medical coverage. In addition, the majority use oral contraception (67.4%).


## 3.2. Anthropometric Data and Medical and Obstetric History of Pregnant Women

Analysis of anthropometric parameters (Table2) showed that the average BMI of our population was 28.44 ± 4.79 kg/m2, with a preponderance of overweight and obesity prevalent at 34.9% and 41%, respectively. Analysis of the results in relation to the obstetric history of the women showed that the majority of women were multiparous and had no history of abortion (75.4%) and fetal death (93.1%). Of those with a medical history, 22.3% had a family history of diabetes, 3.6% had chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, and 3.6% had chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, epilepsy, and thyroid problems.Table 2
Population distribution of female participants by anthropometric information and medical and obstetric historyα: values are expressed as number and percentage.
CharacteristicsPregnant womenN = 39095% confidence interval (CI)BMIα trancheUnderweight3(0.8)0.1–1.8Normal91(23.3)19.5–27.7Overweight136(34.9)30.3–39.5Obesity160(41)36.2–45.9Chronic pathologyαNo376(96.4)94.4–98.2Yes14(3.6)1.8–5.6History of diabetesαNo303(77.7)73.6–81.8Yes87(22.3)18.2–26.4Gravidity/parityα1 pregnancy90(23.1)19–27.72 pregnancies153(39.2)34.6–44.13 pregnancies147(37.7)32.6–42.3Previous abortionαNeither294(75.4)70.8–79.71 abortion71(18.2)14.4–22.32 abortions21((5.4)3.1–7.73 abortions4(1)0.3–2.1Neonatal deathαNo363(93.1)90.1–95.4Yes27(6 .9)4.6–9.5Prenatal consultationαLess than 4 CP119(30.5)25.9–35.64 or more CPs271(69.5)64.4–74.1Iron supplementationαNo279(71.5)67.2–76.2Yes111(28.5)23.8–32.8Note: BMI: underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m2; normal: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2; overweight: 25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2; obesity: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. CP: prenatal consultation.Moreover, the majority of women (97.2%) had a follow-up pregnancy either in the public sector (57%), in the private sector (21.1%), or in both (21.9%). In addition, 69.5% of women had at least 4 prenatal consultations, and 28.5% of women received iron supplementation during pregnancy.


## 3.3. Maternal and Neonatal Data

Analysis of maternal data (Table3) revealed that the average gestational age of pregnant women in amenorrhea weeks was 39.53 ± 1.56. Cesarean delivery affected 20% of our parturients. Regarding the neonatal data, we found that macrosomia affected 15.6% of newborns and that the Apgar score at 5 min was less than 7 in the majority of newborns (71.5%).Table 3
Birth history and neonatal characteristics.
CharacteristicsPregnant womenN = 39095% confidence interval (CI)Gestational ageβ39.53 ± 1.5639.37–39.68Mode of deliveryαVaginal312(80)75.4–83.8Caesarean section78(20)16.2–24.6InstrumentationαNo279(84.0)80.1–88.0Episiotomy41(12.3)9–16Ventouse12(3.6)1.5–5.7SexαFemale194(49.7)45.1–55.1Male196(50.3)44.9–54.9Weight (g)ɣ3400[3100–3800]3400–3450Weight bandHypotrophy15(3.8)2.3–5.9Normal314(80.5)76.7–84.6Macrosomia61(15.6)12.1–19Apgarα at 5 minApgar < 7279(71.5)67.2–76.2Apgar ≥ 7111(28.5)23.8–32.8DeathαNo379(97.2)95.4–98.7Yes11(2.8)1.3–4.6Note:α values are expressed as number and percentage. β values are expressed as mean and standard deviation. ɣ values are expressed as median and quartile.


## 3.4. Study of the Association between Body Size and Maternal and Neonatal Parameters

Table4 showed the correlation between body size and maternal and neonatal parameters.Table 4
Distribution of female partners by sociodemographic, obstetric, and body size parameters.
VariablesPregnant womenN = 390Underweightn = 3Normaln = 91Overweightn = 136Obesen = 160p∗Age (year)<252(1.9)31(28.7)51(47.2)24(22.2)<0.00125 à 350(0)44(23.8)57(30.8)84(45.4)≥351(1.0)16(16.5)28(28.9)52(53.6)Area of residenceUrban2(1)50(23.8)73(34.8)85(40.5)0.982Rural1(0.6)41(22.8)63(35)75(41.7)Level of educationIlliterate2(0)55(21.1)85(32.6)119(45.6)0.132Primary or koranic school1(1.5)16(24.6)28(43.1)20(30.8)Secondary or higher education0(0)20(31.3)23(35.9)21(32.8)Occupation of womenHouse wife3(0.8)84(23.5)125(34.9)146(40.8)0.978Employed0(0)7(21.9)11(34.4)14(43.8)ParityPrimiparous0(0)29(32.2)34(37.8)27(30)0.026Second screen2(1.3)34(22.2)59(38.6)58(37.9)Multiparous҂1(0.7)28(19)43(29.3)75(51)Mode of deliveryLow channel2(0.6)81(26)111(35.6)118(37.8)0.018Caesarean section1(1.3)10(12.8)25(32.1)42(53.8)Previous abortionNo abortion1(0.3)77(26.2)106(36.1)110(37.4)0.0411 abortion2(2.8)11(15.5)20(28.2)38(53.5)2 abortions0(0)3(14.3)9(42.9)9(42.9)3 abortions0(0)0(0)1(25.0)3(75.0)Note: values are expressed in terms of number and percentage.∗Fisher’s exact test. A p value < 0.05 is considered significant. ҂: (Babinski A, Kerenyi T, Torok O, Grazi V, Lapinski RH, Berkowitz RL. Perinatal outcome in grand and great grand multiparity: effect of parity on obstetric risk factors. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999; 181(3):669–74). The multiparous is a woman whose parity is between 2 and 5.Analysis of the results revealed that the overall prevalence of obesity was significantly higherp<0.001 among women aged over 35 years (53.6%) compared to women aged 25 to 35 years (45.4%) and women under 25 (22.2%).On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were observed among female respondents (mother’s work, educational attainment, and area of residence).Regarding obstetric parameters, the prevalence of obesity was significantly high in multiparous women compared to first-time women (51% versus 30%;p=0.026).In addition, the rate of caesarean sections was four times higher in obese women compared to normal weight women (53.8% versus 12.8%) and statistically significantp=0.018. Similarly, the prevalence of obesity and overweight was significantly high among women with multiple abortions p=0.041.Furthermore, the prevalence of women who exceeded the term was significantly high in the obese group compared to the nonobese group (33.8% versus 20.2%;p=0.013).In relation to the association between BMI and neonatal data, our results revealed, on the one hand, a statistically significant positive correlation between gestational body mass index and birth weight (r = 0.29; p<0.001) and, on the other hand, a prevalence of macrosomia in obese women compared to nonobese women (17.6% versus 9.6%; p=0.041).


## 3.5. Pregnancy Morbidity Profile and Its Association with Body Size of the Parturients

Our study also explored the pathologies that occurred during pregnancy. Overall analysis of the results (Figure1) showed that 90/390 (23.1%) had at least one morbidity whose profile was dominated by anemia (58.89%) followed by gestational diabetes (35.56%) and finally gravid toxemia (5.56%). Analysis of the morbidity profile by body size showed that the percentages of women with gestational diabetes, anemia, and gravid toxemia were significantly elevated in the overweight and obese group compared to the normal group. This difference was statistically significant p<0.001.Figure 1
Distribution of parturients by body mass index and morbidity profile. Note: underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m2; normal: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2; overweight: 25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2; obese: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. ∗Fisher’s exact test. A value of p<0.05 is considered significant.


## 4. Discussion

The present work proposes to determine the prevalence of obesity and to study its association with maternal and neonatal characteristics as well as the morbidity profile of pregnancy in the region of Témara, Morocco, an area with a high prevalence of obesity [22].The results showed that overweight and obesity are a problem in the study population with respective prevalence of 34.9% and 41%. These results are controversial with those reported in France and Canada with respective prevalence of 23.5%, 7%, and 23%, 36% [25, 26]. Gestational weight gain remains an independent risk factor for the health of the mother and her child in the short and long term [27]. Indeed, it is associated with increased rates of gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, caesarean delivery, and macrosomia [6].It is accompanied by an increase in maternal adipocytic stores, often contributing to the maintenance of postpartum overweight and increasing the risk of subsequent obesity and type 2 diabetes [12, 28]. Similarly, excessive weight gain influences the development of obesity in children in the short and long term [28, 29]. The study of the correlation between body shape and maternal parameters showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher in women over 25 years of age with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001, Table 4). These results are similar to those reported in a study of Swedish Ghanaian and Nigerian women [30–32]. Similarly, these findings corroborate with the findings of Garabedian et al. which reported that obesity is affecting more and more young women [33]. This explains its increasing prevalence among pregnant women [34]. In fact, this can also be explained by the accumulation of fat during pregnancy [35].A correlation was also observed between corpulence and the education level of the participants. Indeed, 45.6% of illiterate women were obese and 32.6% were overweight (Table4), while those with higher or secondary education had a lower rate of obesity and overweight. Although the difference in our sample was not statistically significant, our results corroborate with the literature that considers educated women to be at lower risk of obesity because they are more aware of its risks [18, 36, 37]. As for parity, a significant correlation was observed with overweight (p=0.026, Table 4). This finding is similar to that found in the study by Ducarme et al. [25] which reported significant values p<0.001, with prevalence of overweight and obesity of 33.1% and 35.1%, respectively.The impact of obesity on both gestational age and the course of delivery was also raised in our study. Indeed, the study demonstrated a significant correlation between obesity and overdue pregnancy. The impact of obesity on both gestational age and delivery patterns was also raised in our study. Indeed, the study showed a significant correlation between obesity, postterm pregnancy, and caesarean section, and these results are similar to results reported by other authors [15, 31, 38]. In the same sense, other studies have shown that the increase in caesarean sections is proportional to the size, even in the absence of maternal pathology [39, 40]. Similarly, study participants with a history of abortion were obese, which is statistically significant (p=0.041, Table 4). Our results remain similar to a randomized study by Lashen and Fear which reported that obese women had a 1.2 times greater risk of first trimester pregnancy loss compared to a control group of normal weight women (95% CI [1.01–1.46]), and a 3.5 times greater risk of recurrent miscarriage (95% CI [1.03–12.01]) [41]. This complication is attributed to insulin resistance traditionally encountered in obese patients as well as polycystic ovary syndrome frequently encountered in this female population. Thus, this risk is likely to increase with the degree of obesity [42].For neonatal criteria, the Apgar score at 5 min was less than 7 in 3/4 of the newborns or (71.5%). This same result has been demonstrated in many international studies [15, 43, 44], which reported a higher incidence of newborns with Apgar less than 7–5 min in the overweight female population (Class I with 18% and Class II with 19%) compared to the rest of the population (6.9%). One would think that the frequency of fetal suffering during labor would be increased in overweight women. Similarly, a positive and statistically significant mean correlation (r = 0.20, p<0.001) was found between obesity and newborn weight. This is consistent with several studies that have reported that obese women are about twice as likely to give birth to newborns with macrosomia [9, 16, 45]. This creates a risk of weight gain in adulthood [46].Obesity as a morbidity factor has also been exploited in this work. Indeed, our study showed that the prevalence of pregnant toxemia and gestational diabetes was significantly higher in obese women compared to normal weight women (p<0.001, Figure 1). This has been demonstrated by previous studies [47, 48]. Therefore, testing in women with risk factors early in pregnancy is recommended [49].Gestational diabetes is diagnosed in 1–3% of pregnancies and 17% of obese women [50]. Excess adipose tissue is responsible for an overproduction of adipokines, an important part of which is involved in the inflammation phenomenon. It is these same adipokines that are responsible for the metabolic imbalances that cause the complications of obesity (insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and arterial hypertension) [50, 51]. Several studies have concluded that toxemia is increased in obese pregnant women [52, 53]. In this sense, our results corroborate with the comments of these authors in that the pregnant toxemia was significantly higher in the overweight and obese group compared to the normal group. Obesity is indeed strongly associated with hyperlipidemia, which, by direct or indirect mechanism, damages the endothelial cells causing vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation, contributing to the preeclampsia process [54].Regarding anemia, our study showed that the overall prevalence was 58.89% with a statistically significant preponderance in overweight group. Our results remain less alarming than those reported in neighboring Arab Maghreb countries such as Tunisia and Mauritania with prevalence of 41% and 53.1%, respectively [55, 56]. Anemia remains a global public health problem with prevalence of 38% in pregnant women [57]. It is a global target to reduce anemia in women of reproductive age by 50% by 2025 [58]. This could be done through prenatal surveillance and other research exploring the nutritional profile of pregnant women in general and obese women in particular. This component was not explored in the present study.


## 5. Conclusion

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in our population is 34.9% and 41%, respectively. Our study has clearly demonstrated that obesity is responsible for obstetrical and neonatal complications, the management of which constitutes a burden for both the health system and the families. These data reinforce the need to improve antenatal care for the prevention of obesity and its avoidable complications.



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