Gestational diabetes & diabetes in pregnancy
Changes in body mass index among pregnant women during labor over four decades: a retrospective longitudinal analysis
Authors' conclusion
The sustained increase in maternal BMI underscores the urgency of implementing targeted interventions, including preconception counseling and personalized antenatal care, to mitigate the adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with elevated BMI.
Study context
- Population
- Pregnant women during labor
- Participants
- 13,193 women
- Exposure
- Maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) at labor across cohorts: 1986-1990 vs 2009-2013 vs 2024
- Outcome
- Changes in BMI among pregnant women during labor
Methodological detailsthree cohorts across four decades
- Three cohorts across four decades
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Mean BMI
P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Group 0 | Group 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Prevalence of obesity | 4.87% | 25.76% |
Prevalence of obesity
- Obesity prevalence rose more than fivefold
BMI trend across groups (regression analysis)
- Linear, statistically significant upward trajectory across all groups
Original publication
Changes in body mass index among pregnant women during labor over four decades: a retrospective longitudinal analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 4 February 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →