Quality of life in obese pregnant women: a longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of obesity on quality of a woman's life during pregnancy.


METHODS
At the Hospital of Gynecology and Obstetrics in León, Mexico, we followed-up 220 pregnant women (110 obese and 110 nonobese) who completed the 12-item short-form health survey at the beginning and during the third trimester of pregnancy.


RESULTS
The mental component score was lower in obese than in nonobese women at the beginning of gestation and at the third trimester but increased in the entire group during pregnancy. The physical component score (PCS) decreased during pregnancy and was lower in obese than in nonobese pregnant women (43.5 vs 47.2; P = .01) at the third trimester. Baseline body mass index, weight gain, and complications during pregnancy were associated negatively with PCS (R2=0.11; P < .001 for the model).


CONCLUSIONS
Baseline body mass index, weight gain, and complications during gestation are associated negatively with PCS of quality of life.
Amador
Norma
N
Unit of Clinical Research, Mexican Institute of Social Security, León, Mexico. norma.amador@imss.gob.mx
Juárez
José M
JM
Guízar
Juan M
JM
Linares
Benigno
B
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain