PHE publishes maternal obesity data

Around one in six pregnant women in England are obese, which can increase health risks for both mothers and babies.

The Public Health England Obesity Knowledge and Intelligence team has published a new online briefing on maternal obesity. They warn that for mothers risks of obesity can include gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and depression. Fetal risks include macrosomia, congenital anomalies and stillbirths. Maternal obesity has also been linked to low breastfeeding rates, adverse childhood cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes and childhood obesity


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