Women and Obesity – Future Generations, The Disturbing Truth!
Diet | Exercise | Fitness | Lifestyle | News | Nutrition | Weight Loss
Posted on December 17, 2015 by Kate Halsall
The Chief Medical Officer’s report entitled “The Health of the 51%: Women” hit the news last week. Isn’t it funny how different newspapers report on the same topic about women and obesity so very differently? The Independent focused on the recommendation made in the report that the government should include obesity on the national risk planning. The Observer focused on the affects that obesity could have on pregnancy: to both the health of the woman and her baby.
I suspect that the publication of the “national mapping of weight management services” last week has also fuelled the debate. Part of the document states:
- England is facing an obesity epidemic.
- By the time children enter primary school, 1 in 5 is already overweight or obese and by the time they leave primary school, that figure increases to 1 in 3
- In 2013, an estimated 62% of the adult population were overweight or obese
- By 2034, it is predicted that 70% of adults will be overweight or obese
- Children are more at risk of becoming obese if they live in a family where at least one parent or carer is obese
Before we look at this in detail – let’s define “Obesity”. In Body Mass Index (BMI) figures, someone is classified as obese if their BMI is 30 or greater, but we must be careful here as we know that BMI does not tell us the whole story and some people can be misrepresented on the BMI.
So how can obesity in women really affect future generations?
- Preconception health – Ladies with a high BMI can struggle to conceive
- During pregnancy – Risk to Mum – According to the NHS, being overweight during pregnancy can mean that you are higher risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia and blood clots
- During Pregnancy – Risk to Baby – Obesity in pregnant ladies can affect the development of the baby and increase the risk of the child suffering from obesity or diabetes in later life.
- Birth – You are more at risk of having an early birth. Big babies!! It is more likely that you will not be able to deliver “naturally” and you will require “help” during the birth process
- Later life – obesity in both adult women and children can increase the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD); elevated mortality rates and an increase risk of several cancers
What can you do about it?
Obesity can be caused by many things – poor diet and nutrition, lack of physical activity, lifestyle factors such as alcohol and smoking to name a few. The truth is, regardless of why and how, it is changeable – help is available. Speak to a doctor, friends, fitness professionals and so on. Take action now to help your future.
Simply moving more, and eating less, will help. Take a read of our other blog posts for exercise programmes and healthy recipes
Articles in full:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/overweight-pregnant.aspx#close