Healthy Before Pregnancy March of Dimes NC Preconception Health Campaign

Healthy weight matters: Lesson Plan 3

Body Mass Index

A measure used to compare your weight to your height Used to assess your risk for weight- related health conditions Image source: Office on Women's Health

Weight connections Now that you know which weight zone you are in, how do you think adolescents across the state measure up?

NC Parent Assessment of Adolescent Child’s Weight Status, 2008

NC Public Health Care Provider Assessment of Female Patients’ Weight Status Ages 12-18, 2008

NC high school females self report on weight status

Weight connections NC adolescents are getting heavier Weight status before pregnancy may be connected to the health of future babies Most NC births are to women over 18 years

Factors that can affect women’s weight Age Weight increases with age Income level Obesity increases as income level decreases Race/Ethnicity Overweight and obesity highest among Native Americans and African-Americans

Women’s weight: NC compared to U.S. Almost 58% of women in NC of childbearing age (18-44) are overweight or obese Among women of all ages, 60% of NC women are overweight compared to 55% across the US

Overweight/obesity among new mothers in NC

Obesity, pregnancy and race in NC

Weight connections and your future Do you want to become a parent someday? If so, when would you ideally like to have your first child? What year do you want to become a parent? How old will you be?

Why weight really does matter A woman’s weight before pregnancy may affect her health during pregnancy, as well as influence the health of her baby.

Obese women are more likely to… Have early and/or recurrent miscarriage Have pregnancy related diabetes Develop dangerously high blood pressure Have a baby with a birth defect Have a baby born prematurely (too soon) Have cesarean sections Develop infections during and after childbirth

Babies born to obese pregnant women… Are at a higher risk of: Birth defects Stillbirth Dying in the first 28 days of life High birth weight (>9.9 lbs) Developing obesity, high blood pressure and the inability to process glucose Low infant reflex scores 1 and 5 minutes after birth Not being breastfed

The cycle repeats Babies born to overweight mothers are more likely to become obese adults The likelihood that overweight children will become obese adults is almost 9 times higher than the risk for children who are not overweight

Beyond pregnancy… Women who are overweight or obese are more likely to have: A higher risk of uterine cancer (2-5 times greater) Increased risk of death from uterine and breast cancers Problems getting pregnant Greater risk of contraception/birth control not working Irregular periods Depression

myeatsmartmovemore.com Enjoy more fruits and veggies Prepare more meals at home Right-size your portions

myeatsmartmovemore.com Choose to move more every day Breastfeed your baby

myeatsmartmovemore.com Tame the tube Re-think your drink

Weight does matter For NC to have more healthy babies young adults need to work together to change our health Learn about healthy food preparation and change old habits Be an advocate for yourself and for your current or future partner

Healthy birthdays ahead Being at a healthy weight now as a teen and through young adulthood puts you and your future family at a HUGE advantage later