Michaela Nagl1, Katja Linde2, Holger Stepan3, Anette Kersting2. 1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: michaela.nagl@medizin.uni-leipzig.de. 2. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 3. Department of Obstetrics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Obesity and anxiety during the perinatal period are common and associated with poor health outcomes for the mother and the child. Despite the well-documented health risks of both pregnancy obesity and anxiety, associations between the two have rarely been explored. With this review we aim to provide a systematic overview of the current state of evidence concerning associations between ante- and postnatal anxiety and pregnancy obesity, excessive gestational weight gain, and postpartum weight retention. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychINFO. RESULTS: 13 Records matched our inclusion criteria. Five out of seven studies focusing on pregnancy obesity and anxiety suggest a positive association with ante- or postnatal anxiety. Surprisingly, no study examined anxiety disorders according to DSM and it remains unknown whether anxiety symptomatology reaches clinical relevance. Results from a small number of life-style intervention studies (n=3) suggest that interventions could benefit from a stronger focus on mental health. There were not enough studies on associations between excessive gestational weight gain (n=2) or postpartum weight retention (n=3) and anxiety making it difficult to draw conclusions about possible associations. LIMITATION: The number of included studies is rather small and studies were included irrespective of the study quality which might limit the generalizability of the results. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the included studies suggest that obese pregnant women might constitute a subgroup that is especially vulnerable for comorbid anxiety and in need of targeted psychological support. However, further high-quality studies, particularly including anxiety disorders, are needed.
BACKGROUND:Obesity and anxiety during the perinatal period are common and associated with poor health outcomes for the mother and the child. Despite the well-documented health risks of both pregnancy obesity and anxiety, associations between the two have rarely been explored. With this review we aim to provide a systematic overview of the current state of evidence concerning associations between ante- and postnatal anxiety and pregnancy obesity, excessive gestational weight gain, and postpartum weight retention. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychINFO. RESULTS: 13 Records matched our inclusion criteria. Five out of seven studies focusing on pregnancy obesity and anxiety suggest a positive association with ante- or postnatal anxiety. Surprisingly, no study examined anxiety disorders according to DSM and it remains unknown whether anxiety symptomatology reaches clinical relevance. Results from a small number of life-style intervention studies (n=3) suggest that interventions could benefit from a stronger focus on mental health. There were not enough studies on associations between excessive gestational weight gain (n=2) or postpartum weight retention (n=3) and anxiety making it difficult to draw conclusions about possible associations. LIMITATION: The number of included studies is rather small and studies were included irrespective of the study quality which might limit the generalizability of the results. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the included studies suggest that obese pregnant women might constitute a subgroup that is especially vulnerable for comorbid anxiety and in need of targeted psychological support. However, further high-quality studies, particularly including anxiety disorders, are needed.
Authors: Mette Bliddal; Zeyan Liew; Anton Pottegård; Helene Kirkegaard; Jørn Olsen; Ellen A Nohr Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2018-07-01 Impact factor: 4.897