Best practice and research clinical obstetrics and gynaecology volume 92

Abstract

Obesity is rising world-wide and has become the most common risk factor for non-communicable diseases. The increase is disproportionate, being higher in the low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income countries. In 2016, the WHO estimated that about 1.9 billion people world-wide were overweight and 650 million of these were obese. If current trends are not reversed, then it is estimated that by 2030, approximately 1:5 women (most of whom will be in the reproductive age groups) would be obese. The percentage of medical spending on obesity health-related complications varies from 3% to 21% depending on the country. Obesity is associated with severe morbidity and mortality including hypertension, diabetes and 13 cancers amongst which are ovarian, breast and endometrial. Several reasons have been advanced for the rise in obesity rates including genetic, epigenetic, environmental, cultural, political, and socioeconomic. Overall, obesity is now considered one of the most important threats to human health. It is within this context that this series on Obesity and Reproductive Health is timely and welcome. The series includes up-to-date coverage of key topics that address the reproductive consequences of obesity and the challenges in providing care to these women. The overview of the epidemiology puts into perspective the magnitude of the problem and the challenges posed by rising trends as well as how this may be arrested. Collective action from individuals, industry, national and international agencies, and governments is crucial to be successful.