Lifestyle interventions for obese women before and during pregnancy: The effect on pregnancy outcomes

The prevalence of overweight women (body mass index >25kg/m2) in the Netherlands is increasing sharply in line with the increase observed in populations worldwide; 37% in 2012 in the Netherlands and 35% in 2008 worldwide. In addition to the long-term health risks of being overweight, overweight women of reproductive age are more commonly faced with reproductive disorders including fertility rate, and pregnancy complications. Due to the increased risk of miscarriage chances of a live birth are decreased. In addition, pregnancy outcomes are compromised by obesity-related complications of pregnancy.
The aim of this thesis was to assess effects of weight-reduction interventions before, and lifestyle interventions during pregnancy on gestational weight gain and pregnancy related outcomes. Furthermore, we aimed to estimate direct and indirect costs to society associated with obesity and weight gain in pregnancy, expressed as monetary costs and sick leave.