Obesity in women giving birth in Victoria, 2010-2019: a retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of obesity in pregnant women in Victoria, 2010-2019. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study; analysis of Victorian Perinatal Data Collection data. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Women who gave birth in seventeen Victorian Department of Health areas (eight metropolitan, nine regional), 2010-2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportions of births to women with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2), by Department of Health area and year. RESULTS: A total of 710 364 births with records that included the mothers' BMI were recorded in Victoria during 2010-2019. The proportion of births to women with obesity rose from 19.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.3-19.9%) in 2010 to 21.5% (95% CI, 21.2-21.8%) in 2019; the proportion of births to women with normal weight declined from 49.0% (95% CI, 48.6-49.4%) to 46.8% (95% CI, 46.4-47.1%). In metropolitan areas, the proportion of births to women with obesity rose from 17.7% (95% CI, 17.7-17.8%) to 19.4% (95% CI, 19.3-19.4%); in regional areas, it increased from 25.0% (95% CI, 25.0-25.1%) to 29.1% (95% CI, 29.0-29.2%). The increase in prevalence of obesity was greater among women living in the lowest socio-economic standing (Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage) quintile than for those residing in the quintile of least disadvantage (adjusted rate ratio, 2.16; 95% CI, 2.12-2.20). CONCLUSION: The proportion of births to Victorian women with obesity rose during 2010-2019, particularly in regional areas. Ensuring that regional health services are adequately resourced to meet the needs of the increasing number of women at risk of obesity during pregnancy is vital.