Child and Maternal Obesity

Recent statistics have shown that obesity is increasing globally. However, data from the North East suggests a high prevalence of obesity within the adult (Health Survey for England data, 2006), child (National Child Measurement Programme data, 2006/07) and maternal population (preliminary data from a North East trust*).

The potential increased risk of disease in children with obesity and elevated complications during pregnancy and delivery in women suffering from obesity (maternal obesity), posses a serious population health burden, with significant implications for service.

*Heslehurst, N., Ells, L. J., Simpson, H., Batterham, A., Wilkinson, J.R., Summerbell, C. D. (2007) 'Trends in maternal obesity incidence rates, demographic predictors, and health inequalities in 36,821 women over a 15-year period.' , International journal of obstetrics and gynaecology., 114 (2), pp. 187-194