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Difference in Body Mass Index between Socio-economically Deprived and Non-Deprived Mothers in the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2013

E. M. Barrett ,
M. Lane ,
A. O'Higgins ,
L. Mullaney ,
M. J. Turner  and
D. McCartney
E. M. Barrett
Affiliation:
Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
M. Lane
Affiliation:
Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
A. O'Higgins
Affiliation:
UCD Centre for Human Reproduction, Coombe Women and Infants' University Hospital, Cork St., Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
L. Mullaney
Affiliation:
Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
M. J. Turner
Affiliation:
UCD Centre for Human Reproduction, Coombe Women and Infants' University Hospital, Cork St., Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
D. McCartney
Affiliation:
Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
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Abstract

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Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 72 , Issue OCE3: Irish Section Meeting, 19–21 June 2013, Childhood nutrition and obesity: current status and future challenges , 2013 , E156
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013 

Obesity occurs at high frequency among Irish obstetric populations( Reference Dennedy, Avalos and O'Reilly 1 ). As obesity increases the risk of adverse outcomes for both mother and infant, this is a major concern( Reference Guelinckx, Devlieger and Beckers 2 ).This study investigated the relationship between markers of material and social deprivation and maternal body mass index (BMI) status in the first trimester of pregnancy. One hundred and sixteen women aged 16–41years (mean age=29.5years) were recruited at their booking visit (9–16 weeks gestation) to a large Dublin maternity hospital. The sample included both public and semi-private patients. Bodyweight was measured using a TANITA MC-180 body composition analyzer (Pharmed Ltd., Mount Auburn, Millmount Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland). Height was recorded by nursing staff with a SECA digital height measure (Seca Ltd., 40 Barn St., Birmingham B5 5QB, UK.) using standardised procedures( Reference McCarthy, Harrington and Kiely 3 ).

The socioeconomic status of the participants was assessed by means of formal education and material deprivation status. Participants were classified into four educational categories: no formal or primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education and third level education. Material deprivation status was assessed by determining the number of basic necessities( 4 ) which respondents had had to forego in the previous year due to lack of money, with participants categorized into two groupings – non-deprived (0 indicators) and deprived (⩾1 indicator).

Forty seven percent of participants (n=54) were of ideal BMI (20–24.9 kg/m2), while 27.6% of the sample (n=32) fell into the overweight category (25–29.9 kg/m2) and 16.4% (n=19) were classified as obese (BMI⩾30 kg/m2). Independent samples t-test was used to compare BMI between women who were materially deprived and those who were not. BMI was greater in those who were deprived (27.0 kg/m2) than those who were non-deprived (24.6 kg/m2) (p=0.008).

One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare BMI with educational status. There was no difference in BMI according to educational status (p=0.256).

These findings suggest that markers of material disadvantage such as deprivation may be more important predictors of overweight and obesity in than sociological markers such as educational status among pregnant women in Ireland.

References

1. Dennedy, MC, Avalos, G, O'Reilly, MW et al. (2010) Diabetes 2010 July; (Suppl): 1952.Google Scholar
2. Guelinckx, I., Devlieger, R., Beckers, K. et al. (2008) Obesity Reviews, 9: 140–150.Google Scholar
3. McCarthy, SN, Harrington, KE, Kiely, M et al. (2001) Public Health Nutrition: 4(5A), 1099–1106.Google Scholar
4. Government of Ireland (2007) National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007–2016. Dublin: The Stationery Office. (www.socialinclusion.ie/documents/NAPinclusionReportPDF.pdf – accessed 10th March 2013.)Google Scholar