Assessment of Body Mass Index in Younger and Older Pregnant Women and Its' Effect On Their Health Status: Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: A number of studies have reported a clear association between maternal overweight and adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Pregnancy obesity associated with greater risk of pregnancy complications, caesarean delivery and greater birth and placenta weight. longer stay in hospital after delivery..

Objective: 1. To assess (BMI)of younger pregnant women. 2.To assess (BMI) of older pregnant women. To compare (BMI) between younger and older pregnant women. 

Methodology: Non-probability (purposive sample) of (100) pregnant women (50%) of them younger and (50%) was older pregnant women, who visit Bab AL-Moadam primary health center. This study started in 15^th of March 2013 to 20^th of May 2013. The data are collected through the use of constructed questionnaire, which consists of two parts. part 1: consists of (3) items about demographic characteristics, part 2: consists of (2) items about Body Mass Index of younger and older pregnant women before and after pregnancy. Descriptive statistical analysis procedures (frequency, percentage ,Chi square test, T-paired test ).

Results: Revealed that the Body Mass Index of older pregnant women and younger pregnant women increase related to pregnancy but the older pregnant women were more affected by increase maternal weight more than younger pregnant women and the interpretation of these results related to the relationship between women age and their weight.

Conclusions: Body Mass Index of the women increase and this increase related to pregnancy and the age of women.

Recommendations: the study recommended that all the pregnant women should be maintenance their weight and become within normal rang to avoid the complication during and before pregnancy.