Anxiety and depression in severely obese pregnancy: associations with gestational weight gain and birthweight

Rationale/statement of the problem : Obesity is associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. We hypothesised that severe obesity in pregnancy would be associated with adverse psychological health, with effects on gestational weight gain (GWG) and baby birthweight (BWT). We aimed to study mood and birth outcomes among participants in a longitudinal study of severe obesity in pregnancy. Methods : In this study, 140 severely obese (body mass index [BMI] (mean (SD)) 44.1 (4.1) kg/m2) and 96 lean (BMI 22.6 (1.6) kg/m2) pregnant women were recruited. Ethical approval and written, informed consent were obtained. Obese women were advised about healthy eating and weight maintenance. Serial weights were recorded and GWG calculated between 16 and 36 weeks’ gestation. Women were asked to complete validated questionnaires to assess mood, including ‘satisfaction with life’, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety in early (12–20 weeks’ gestation) and late pregnancy (28–32 weeks’ gestation). Term BWT (>37 weeks’ gestation) was recorded (n=234). Results : Obese women were significantly less satisfied with life than lean women and had higher HADS depression and anxiety scores, and state and trait anxiety scores at both time points (all p