title: Obesity and women's health: an evidence-based review.
abstract: Obesity negatively impacts the health of women in many ways. Being overweight or obese increases the relative risk of diabetes and coronary artery disease in women. Women who are obese have a higher risk of low back pain and knee osteoarthritis. Obesity negatively affects both contraception and fertility as well. Maternal obesity is linked with higher rates of cesarean section as well as higher rates of high-risk obstetrical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Pregnancy outcomes are negatively affected by maternal obesity (increased risk of neonatal mortality and malformations). Maternal obesity is associated with a decreased intention to breastfeed, decreased initiation of breastfeeding, and decreased duration of breastfeeding. There seems to be an association between obesity and depression in women, though cultural factors may influence this association. Obese women are at higher risk for multiple cancers, including endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and perhaps ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kulie
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slattengren
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Redmer
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Counts
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eglash
authors.forename: Sarina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schrager
mesh_terms: D018771:Arthralgia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012306:Risk; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health