Ethnic disparities and obesity risk factors in pregnant women: A retrospective observational cohort study

(1) Background: This article focuses on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in pregnancy in different ethnic groups and assesses the existence of associated comorbidities. 

(2) Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study of 16803 pregnant women was carried out between 2012 and 2018 in the health region of Lleida (72% of the total). The relationship between overweight and obesity and different variables was analyzed by calculating the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals with multivariate logistic regression models. 

(3) Results: The prevalence of obesity in pregnant women rose from 11.1% in 2012 to 13.4% in 2018, and there was an age-related weight gain. A high incidence of overweight and obesity was recorded in pregnant women from ethnic groups: Maghrebi, sub-Saharan African and Latin America populations presented ORs of 4.08, 3.18 and 1.59, respectively. Hypertension was the variable most affected by body mass index (BMI) > 25 (OR = 3.39) followed by gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.35). Depression was also associated with obesity. 

(4) Conclusions: The BMI of pregnant women is influenced by individual, ethnic and clinical factors. Mental health conditions such as depression are associated with BMI.