An adorable chubby baby might seem cute, but the implications of childhood obesity can be profound and enduring. As reported by The Star, being overweight not only affects a woman’s health but also plays a significant role in determining the well-being of her future child.
The journey towards potential health complications starts even before conception. Extra weight can lead to infertility, making it challenging for women to get pregnant. Dr. Maiza Tusimin, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, emphasizes the importance of maintaining an ideal weight range from “womb to tomb
” not just for aesthetics but for the health of future generations.
Maternal obesity is associated with increased inflammation and insulin resistance, impacting fetal development and setting the stage for potential metabolic issues later in life. Dr. Maiza warns about risks such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, caesarean delivery likelihood, congenital anomalies in babies, birth trauma, and long-term metabolic challenges.
She highlights the need for preconception counseling to manage these risks effectively. Many women delay marriage or childbirth to focus on their careers; hence they have time to address weight concerns before starting a family journey.
Dr. Maiza underscores how hormonal imbalances due to obesity can lead to fertility issues such as irregular periods, anovulation, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diabetes, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea—factors that complicate conception further.
“
For the mother,” she explains,
“risks include gestational diabetes…increased likelihood of…postpartum infections.”
And “for the baby,” there are dangers like
“congenital anomalies [and] birth trauma.”
In cases where assisted reproductive technologies like IVF are needed due to fertility challenges caused by obesity, even modest weight loss can significantly improve ovulation rates and enhance natural conception possibilities.
Dr. Maiza recounts her personal experience during pregnancy when she gained 22kg due to unchecked food cravings but managed to shed most of it post-delivery through breastfeeding and mindful eating habits.
She advises that women should aim for controlled weight gain during pregnancy based on their BMI category – between 11.5-16kg for normal BMI individuals and 5-9kg for those who are obese (BMI over 30).
Large babies may pose delivery challenges due to maternal factors like obesity affecting labor progression or positioning difficulties during epidural administration or increasing risks of labor complications leading to birth injuries or newborn distress conditions like low blood sugar or respiratory issues.
Breaking societal stigmas around obesity is crucial in promoting holistic care approaches that prioritize empathy over judgment within healthcare settings—a shift towards patient-centered care yields better outcomes and experiences during pregnancy journeys.
“At that time,… I was worried I’d get gestational hypertension…but thankfully…I didn’t have any complications…” – Dr. Maiza Tusimin
Ultimately, maintaining a healthy body not only benefits individuals but also shapes the well-being of future generations—an empowering reminder that our choices today impact tomorrow’s health landscape profoundly.
Attribution:
This content was sourced from www.thestar.com.my at https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/2025/05/28/when-an-obese-mother-leads-to-an-obese-child
Leave feedback about this