OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN PREGNANT WOMEN ASSISTED IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE I N PUNTA ARENAS, CHILE

Abstract

Objective: To relate overweight and obesity in pregnant women with the presence of pregnancy pathologies
and type of delivery. Materials and Methods: 100 pregnant women, who were regularly monitored between January and November 2018, in a Family Health Center (CESFAM) of the city of Punta Arenas, in the southernmost part of Chile. Anonymization for secondary source was used with the appropriate authorizations and approval of an Ethics Committee. Results: At the beginning of pregnancy, 66% of pregnant women had excess malnutrition (37% overweight and 29% obese), at delivery the proportion
increased to 74% (33% overweight and 41% obese). Nearly 97% of obese pregnant women remained obese. The prevalence of gestational diabetes was 21% and was more common in pregnant women with
excess malnutrition, reaching 45.6% of the total. The prevalence of cesarean delivery was 53.8% and was
more common in obese pregnant women. A statistically significant association was found between excess malnutrition and maternal age, weight gain and type of delivery. Conclusions: Excess malnutrition was
associated with the presence of gestational diabetes and a higher prevalence of cesarean delivery.