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

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 years (p < 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.

Risk factors associated with a breast cancer in a population of Moroccan women whose age is less than 40 years: a case control study.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in morocco women were it occupies the first place in term of incidence and mortality. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the risk factors associated with a breast cancer in a population of Moroccan women. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with population women whose age is less than 40 years during 2008-2010 at the National Institute of Oncology of Rabat. These women were interviewed for Epidemiological information and risk factor for breast cancer. RESULTS: Included in this study were 124 cases and 148 age matched controls. No statistically significant case-control difference was found for the early age of menarche (OR = 2.474; CI 95%: 1.354- 4.521), and family antecedents of first degree of breast cancer (OR = 11.556; 95% CI: 2.548-52.411). However physical activity (OR = 0.507; 95% CI: 0.339 -0.757) early maternity age (OR = 0.212; 95% CI: 0.087 - 0.514), multiparity (OR = 0.742; 95% CI: 0.359 -1.539) and breastfeeding than 6 months (OR = 0.739; 95% CI: 0.357 -1.523) appear as significant protective factors. CONCLUSION: This study show the criminalization of only part of the known risk factors of breast cancer in this age group and confirms the probable protective role of physical activity and factors related to life reproductive women in our study (early childbearing, multiparity and lactation).