Hassan M Heshmati

Endocrinology Metabolism Consulting, LLC, Hassan Heshmati and Valerie Shaw Endocrine Research, USA

Title: Management of obesity during pregnancy

Abstract

Obesity is defined as a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, but in some Asian countries, the body mass index threshold to define obesity is lower (e.g., 28 kg/m2 and 25 kg/m2, in China and Japan, respectively). Obesity is a pandemic inflicting high cost to the society. The number of adult subjects with obesity is around 650 million worldwide. Obesity during pregnancy is a growing health problem reaching epidemic proportions in several countries. Internationally, the prevalence of obesity in pregnant women is as high as 30%. Obesity can increase maternal, fetal, and neonatal risks (e.g., gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, congenital defects, preterm birth, and stillbirth). Chronic fetal hypoxia is a potential contributing factor as supported by a positive association between maternal body mass index and concentration of erythropoietin in cord blood at birth. Obesity during pregnancy can also promote obesity in offspring and cardiovascular diseases later in life, and premature mortality. Epigenetic alterations may be responsible for these outcomes. Obesity during pregnancy is associated with a high healthcare usage and cost. Pregnancy in women with obesity should be considered and managed as a high-risk condition. Management of obesity during pregnancy includes lifestyle (e.g., diet, exercise, and behavioral change) and gut microbiome modulation (e.g., prebiotics and probiotics). However, the most effective way to reduce maternal and fetal risks is weight loss before pregnancy by focusing on the at-risk population and aiming at normalizing body weight in pre-pregnant women. Weight management should also be implemented after pregnancy.

Biography

Hassan M Heshmati, Medical Doctor, Endocrinologist, has 48 years of experience in clinical research in both Academia (University-Affiliated Hospitals, Paris, France and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA) and Pharmaceutical/Biotech Companies (Sanofi, Malvern, PA, USA, Essentialis, Carlsbad, CA, USA, and Gelesis, Boston, MA, USA). His research activity has been related to pituitary tumor, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, and obesity. He has extensive knowledge in the development of anti-obesity products. He is the author of 323 abstracts, book chapters, and articles related to Endocrinology and Metabolism. Currently, he is Consultant at Endocrinology Metabolism Consulting, LLC, Hassan Heshmati and Valerie Shaw Endocrine Research, Anthem, AZ, USA.

4th International Conference on Nursing and Women's Healthcare

Hassan M Heshmati

Title: Management of obesity during pregnancy

Abstract

Biography

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