Early pregnancy overweight and obesity: prevalence, determinants, and temporal trends in a large maternal cohort
1
Institute of Public Health, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2341
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age remain highly prevalent globally and are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The preconception and early pregnancy period represent a critical window for prevention.
OBJECTIVES:
To study the prevalence, determinants, and trends of overweight and obesity in early pregnancy in a large cohort of pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
METHODS:
We analysed data collected between 2017 and 2024 from the Mutaba’ah Study, the largest mother–child cohort study in the UAE. Overweight and obesity in early pregnancy were defined using body mass index measured in the first trimester. Determinants were examined using multivariable Poisson regression with a log link and robust standard errors to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios. Temporal trends in prevalence were assessed by testing the regression coefficient for calendar year treated as a continuous variable.
RESULTS:
A total of 3,974 pregnant women aged 18-48 years were included in the analysis. Overall, approximately two-thirds of women (68%) entered pregnancy overweight or obese. Higher maternal age (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=1.02, 95% CI:1.02–1.03), lower education level (aPR=1.10, 95% CI:1.04–1.15), and being employed (aPR=1.06, 95% CI:1.01–1.11) were independently associated with a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity at pregnancy entry. Year-specific prevalence estimates showed persistently high prevalence of overweight/obesity (66%–69%) over time, with no evidence of a temporal trend (p-trend = 0.726).
CONCLUSIONS:
Overweight and obesity at pregnancy entry remain prevalent, with no evidence of improvement over time. These findings highlight the need for strengthened preconception and early pregnancy interventions targeting women of reproductive age.
Overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age remain highly prevalent globally and are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The preconception and early pregnancy period represent a critical window for prevention.
OBJECTIVES:
To study the prevalence, determinants, and trends of overweight and obesity in early pregnancy in a large cohort of pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
METHODS:
We analysed data collected between 2017 and 2024 from the Mutaba’ah Study, the largest mother–child cohort study in the UAE. Overweight and obesity in early pregnancy were defined using body mass index measured in the first trimester. Determinants were examined using multivariable Poisson regression with a log link and robust standard errors to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios. Temporal trends in prevalence were assessed by testing the regression coefficient for calendar year treated as a continuous variable.
RESULTS:
A total of 3,974 pregnant women aged 18-48 years were included in the analysis. Overall, approximately two-thirds of women (68%) entered pregnancy overweight or obese. Higher maternal age (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=1.02, 95% CI:1.02–1.03), lower education level (aPR=1.10, 95% CI:1.04–1.15), and being employed (aPR=1.06, 95% CI:1.01–1.11) were independently associated with a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity at pregnancy entry. Year-specific prevalence estimates showed persistently high prevalence of overweight/obesity (66%–69%) over time, with no evidence of a temporal trend (p-trend = 0.726).
CONCLUSIONS:
Overweight and obesity at pregnancy entry remain prevalent, with no evidence of improvement over time. These findings highlight the need for strengthened preconception and early pregnancy interventions targeting women of reproductive age.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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