The interrelationship between ethnicity and obesity on obstetric outcomes

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interrelationship between ethnicity and obesity on obstetric outcomes. Study design: This was a retrospective study examining the interaction between ethnicity and obesity for obstetric outcomes. Statistical methods included univariate and multivariate regression models. Results: In this study population of 22,658 women, 2150 (9.4%) were obese (body mass index [BMI] >29). Obesity increased the rate of cesarean delivery, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and macrosomia in each ethnic group. When compared with obese white women, higher rates of cesarean delivery were noted in obese African American (odds ratio [OR] 1.50, P < .05) and Asian (OR 1.73, P < .05) women. Gestational diabetes was increased twofold in obese Latina (OR 1.94, P < .05) and Asian (OR 2.20, P < .05) women, while preeclampsia was increased only in obese Latina (1.93, P < .05) women. Conclusion: Obesity increases the risk of cesarean delivery, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and macrosomia, but this effect varies among different ethnicities. The biometrics of different ethnicities and associated obstetric outcomes needs further exploration. (C) 2005 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.