World Obesity Federation

Pregnancy & obesity: systematic reviews

Lifestyle Interventions in Overweight and Obese Pregnant or Postpartum Women for Postpartum Weight Management: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions initiated during the antenatal and/or postnatal period in overweight or obese pregnant women to manage postpartum weight. 

Obesity and Weight Gain in Pregnancy and Postpartum: An Evidence Review of Lifestyle Interventions to Inform Maternal and Child Health Policies

The aim of this review was to identify lifestyle interventions that have shown to be effective in controlling gestational weight gain, post-partum weight retention and thus improve maternal and child outcomes in order to inform health care professionals and policy makers.

Lifestyle Interventions Limit Gestational Weight Gain in Women with Overweight or Obesity: LIFE-Moms Prospective Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varied lifestyle intervention programmes designed to ameliorate excess gestational weight gain in pregnant women with overweight or obesity compared with standard care, including effects on pregnancy outcomes. 

The Risks Associated with Obesity in Pregnancy

There are considerable maternal and foetal morbidity risks associated with pregnancy among overweight and obese women. 

Attenuating Pregnancy Weight Gain – What Works and Why: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to address gaps that remain regarding gestational weight gain by comparing the efficacy of all approaches that have been used to prevent excessive gestational weight gain and to further describe and explore characteristics that can be analysed across intervention types. 

Does Obesity Increase the Risk of Miscarriage in Spontaneous Conception: A Systematic Review

This systematic review critically evaluates the published evidence regarding miscarriage in obese women who conceived spontaneously.

Overweight and obesity in mothers and risk of preterm birth and low birth weight infants: systematic review and meta-analyses

The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether an association exists between maternal overweight and obesity with preterm birth and low birth weight in singleton pregnancies. 

A systematic review of maternal obesity and breastfeeding intention, initiation and duration

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship between maternal overweight and obesity and breastfeeding intention and initiation and duration. 

Maternal obesity in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate maternal obesity in Africa through the assessment of different components.

Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for overweight and obesity during pregnancy

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify and summarise the evidence for the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) interventions on PA levels for pregnant women with overweight and obesity, with an emphasis on employed behaviour change techniques.

Effects of physical exercise during pregnancy on maternal and infant outcomes in overweight and obese pregnant women

The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to assess the effect of physical exercise on maternal and infant outcomes in pregnant women with overweight obesity.

Associations between lifestyle interventions during pregnancy and childhood weight and growth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of the systematic review was to examine the association between lifestyle behaviours during pregnancy and anthropometric outcomes (weight, height, BMI) during childhood. 

Factors Influencing Pregnancy and Postpartum Weight Management in Women of African and Caribbean Ancestry Living in High-Income Countries: Systematic Review and Evidence Synthesis Using a Behavioral Change Theoretical Model

Pregnancy and post-partum periods are important times to prioritise weight management efforts to reduce the risk of obesity later in life and to support health and wellbeing. The review collated the evidence regarding attitudes to weight management-related behaviours in pregnancy and postpartum, in women of black African ancestry, living in developed countries. 

Relationship between Prenatal or Postnatal Exposure to Pesticides and Obesity: A Systematic Review

‘The main objective of this study was to systematically review the data provided in the scientific literature for a possible association between prenatal and postnatal exposure to pesticides and obesity in offspring.’

The effect of obesity in pregnancy and gestational weight gain on neonatal outcome in glucose-tolerant mothers

This study investigated the effects of overweight and obesity in pregnancy and gestational weight gain, independent of gestational diabetes, on newborn infants health.