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. 2013 Apr;38(2):261-7.
doi: 10.1007/s10900-012-9609-1.

Knowledge of obesity and its impact on reproductive health outcomes among urban women

Eden R Cardozo  1 , Tanaka J Dune, Lisa M Neff, Maureen E Brocks, Geraldine E Ekpo, Randall B Barnes, Erica E Marsh
Affiliations

Knowledge of obesity and its impact on reproductive health outcomes among urban women

Eden R Cardozo et al. J Community Health. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

This prospective survey study assessed the knowledge of reproductive outcomes that are affected by obesity among women in an urban community. A total of 207 women attending a community fair on the south side of Chicago participated in the study. A survey assessing knowledge of BMI and of the effects of obesity on general, cardiometabolic and reproductive health outcomes was administered. Subjects ranged in age from 18 to 70 years (mean ± SD, 48.6 ± 12.9 years) and ranged in BMI from 17.3 to 52.1 kg/m(2) (mean ± SD, 31.2 ± 6.7 kg/m(2)). The following percentages of women were aware that obesity increases the risk of miscarriage (37.5 %), irregular periods (35.8 %), infertility (33.9 %), cesarean section (30.8 %), breast cancer (28.0 %), birth defects (23.7 %), stillbirth (14.1 %), and endometrial cancer (18.1 %). This study found that while women in an urban community are aware of the cardiometabolic risks associated with obesity, they demonstrate limited knowledge of the effects of obesity on reproductive outcomes. Public education is needed to increase knowledge and awareness of the reproductive consequences of obesity. Women of reproductive age may be uniquely responsive to obesity education and weight loss intervention.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Participant knowledge of BMI
(A) Percentage of participants who selected each answer choice to the question “What percentage of women in the United States do you think weigh more than they should?” (B) Percentages of participants who had heard of the term BMI, thought they knew their own BMI, and accurately knew their own BMI. (C) Percentage of participants who selected each answer choice to the question “Which BMI range is considered ideal?”
Figure 1
Figure 1. Participant knowledge of BMI
(A) Percentage of participants who selected each answer choice to the question “What percentage of women in the United States do you think weigh more than they should?” (B) Percentages of participants who had heard of the term BMI, thought they knew their own BMI, and accurately knew their own BMI. (C) Percentage of participants who selected each answer choice to the question “Which BMI range is considered ideal?”
Figure 1
Figure 1. Participant knowledge of BMI
(A) Percentage of participants who selected each answer choice to the question “What percentage of women in the United States do you think weigh more than they should?” (B) Percentages of participants who had heard of the term BMI, thought they knew their own BMI, and accurately knew their own BMI. (C) Percentage of participants who selected each answer choice to the question “Which BMI range is considered ideal?”
Figure 2
Figure 2. Participant knowledge of the effects of obesity
Percentage of participants who indicated they are aware that obesity increases risk of each of the specific health outcomes (n=207).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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