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. 2019 Feb 10:2019:2419263.
doi: 10.1155/2019/2419263. eCollection 2019.

Marked Disparities in Pre-Pregnancy Obesity and Overweight Prevalence among US Women by Race/Ethnicity, Nativity/Immigrant Status, and Sociodemographic Characteristics, 2012-2014

Gopal K Singh  1 , Jessica N DiBari  2
Affiliations

Marked Disparities in Pre-Pregnancy Obesity and Overweight Prevalence among US Women by Race/Ethnicity, Nativity/Immigrant Status, and Sociodemographic Characteristics, 2012-2014

Gopal K Singh et al. J Obes. .

Abstract

This study examines racial/ethnic, nativity, and sociodemographic disparities in the prevalence of pre-pregnancy obesity and overweight in the United States. Logistic regression was fitted to the 2012-2014 national birth cohort data to derive unadjusted and adjusted differentials in pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI ≥30), severe obesity (BMI ≥40), and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25) prevalence among 10.4 million US women of childbearing age. Substantial racial/ethnic differences existed, with pre-pregnancy obesity rates ranging from 2.6% for Chinese and 3.3% for Vietnamese women to 34.9% for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AIANs) and 60.2% for Samoans. Pre-pregnancy overweight/obese prevalence ranged from 13.6% for Chinese women to 61.7% for AIANs and 86.3% for Samoans. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, women in all Asian subgroups had markedly lower risks of pre-pregnancy obesity, severe obesity, and overweight/obesity, whereas Samoans, Hawaiians, AIANs, blacks, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Central/South Americans had significantly higher risks. Immigrant women in each racial/ethnic group had lower rates of pre-pregnancy obesity than the US-born. Sociodemographic risk factors accounted for 33-47% of racial/ethnic disparities and 12-16% of ethnic-immigrant disparities in pre-pregnancy obesity and overweight/obesity. Further research is needed to assess the effects of diet, physical inactivity, and social environments in explaining the reported ethnic and nativity differences in pre-pregnancy obesity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Racial/ethnic disparities in observed and adjusted1 prevalence (%) of severe pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI ≥40) among US women, 2012–2014. 1Adjusted for maternal age, parity, marital status, nativity/immigrant status, maternal education, and place and region of residence.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ethnic-immigrant disparities in observed and adjusted1 prevalence (%) of severe pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI ≥40) among US women, 2012–2014. 1Adjusted for maternal age, parity, marital status, maternal education, and place and region of residence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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