Weight-related quality of life in obese, pregnant women in South Africa

Abstract

Objective: The global obesity pandemic includes pregnant women. Obesity may negatively impact quality of life (QOL). A validated, obesity-specific, QOL  assessment tool was used to assess the impact of obesity on five specific domains.
Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed at Tygerberg Academic Hospital in South Africa. Morbid obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 40–49.9 kg/m2 and super-obesity as BMI > 50 kg/m2, using the first recorded weight during the pregnancy. Pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 40 were approached in the high-risk antenatal clinic where written informed consent was taken before  recruitment. Using the QOL tool they answered statements about their current  experiences.
Results: A total of 66 morbidly obese and 46 super-obese women were enrolled  across an age range of 18–45 years. Physical function and self-esteem were the domains with the lowest QOL scores. When comparing morbid with super obesity, all scores were significantly lower in the latter group except for the domains of  self-esteem and sexual life.
Conclusion: Morbid and super-obesity occur across the full spectrum of the adult reproductive period. Physical function and self-esteem are most affected while QOL is linked to the degree of obesity.

Keywords: obesity, pregnancy, quality of life, morbid obesity, super-obesity