Ulster University

Academic Institute

Mary McCann

Ulster University

Yes

E085

Malnutrition is a major global health issue causing significant morbidity and mortality across a range of health systems. Globally, weight related chronic diseases cause 4 million deaths annually, up to 800 million people are undernourished and at least 1 billion experience micronutrient deficiencies1. Obesity is now the most common medical condition in women of reproductive age and there is increasing evidence that obesity has a long lasting and severe influence on the growing fetus1 as well as long lasting health implications for the mother. Pregnant women with overweight/obesity face increased risk for numerous adverse pregnancy and childbirth outcomes, including gestational diabetes, hypertension, congenital malformations, premature birth, stillbirth, and macrosomia2. Maternal overweight/obesity is also associated with long-term risk of obesity, T2D, and coronary heart disease among the offspring3. Globally, it is estimated that >33% of women of reproductive age are affected by iron deficiency anaemia4. Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anaemia and during pregnancy is associated with adverse health risks for both mother and offspring, such as increased risk for preeclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, as well as adverse effects on neurodevelopment and cardiometabolic outcomes in the offspring5,6. The coexistence of overweight/obesity and anaemia in pregnant women presents a dual health burden, yet research on the short and longer term risk factors and health consequences of this dual burden of malnutrition is sparse. This research aims to examine the influence of maternal obesity on risk of anaemia. References 1. World Health Organization. Overweight and obesity. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight 2. Poston L, Caleyachetty R, Cnattingius S, Corvalan C, Uauy R, Herring S, et al. Preconceptional and maternal obesity: epidemiology and health consequences. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2016;4:1025–36. 3. Godfrey KM, Reynolds RM, Prescott SL, Nyirenda M, Jaddoe VWV, Eriksson JG, et al. Influence of maternal obesity on the long-term health of offspring. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017;5:53–64. 4. FAO IFAD, UNICEF WFP, WHO. The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2017. Building resilience for peace and food security. Rome: FAO; 2017. 5. Rao R, Georgieff MK. Iron in fetal and neonatal nutrition. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2007;12:54–63. 6. Christian P, Stewart CP. Maternal micronutrient deficiency, fetal development, and the risk of chronic disease. J Nutr 2010;140:437–45

Our project will highlight the magnitude of this double burden in public health, overweight/obesity and anaemia, and therefore the relevance of the correct management of pregnant women at higher risk. In addition, our results will demonstrate the effectiveness of current clinical practices to prevent/treat anaemia in singleton and multiple pregnancies, particularly in overweight and obese pregnant women. Our findings will have an impact on the consideration for review and revision of current maternal health policy and thus influence positive change in practices than influence the health of pregnant women and their babies. .

06/11/2023

TRE