Participants
Fatimah Zahra Olukade
Maternal adiposity is the amount and location of body fat in pregnancy. Health inequalities (e.g. deprivation) are associated with maternal adiposity measured by body mass index (BMI). However, alternative measures of adiposity, including waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio, may be more accurate predictors of adiposity-related risks.
This study explored associations between maternal adiposity and age, parity, smoking, alcohol, ethnicity, and deprivation. Associations were compared with BMI. Women with higher parity and greater deprivation exhibited increased adiposity. Smoking and ethnicity were associated with some adiposity measures (waist circumference, waist-to-hipratio), but not with BMI. No significant associations were found between maternal age or alcohol consumption and adiposity.
These findings suggest that while certain patterns of health inequalities are consistent between BMI and other adiposity measures, some are specific to adiposity measures indicating central body fat. Future research may examine the mechanisms behind these associations, to direct improvements in care for women at increased adiposity-related risk.
Funded by: Newcastle University Research Scholarship
Project Supervisor: Dr Nicola Heslehurst