Obesity and Teenage Pregnancy



Abstract

The United States has been facing two major problems, obesity and teenage pregnancy resulting from risky sexual behavior. In the past few decades adolescence pregnancy has been frequently reported in obese girls. The objective of the study is to identify the prevalence of the problem in the United States. Additionally, the physical, social and psychological causes and consequences of obesity and pregnancy in obese teenage mothers have been illustrated in the study. In order to deal with the problem an extensive health intervention plan has been designed which focuses on diet, nutritional requirements and exercise for young obese mothers. Moreover, the study describes assessment and counseling intervention plan along with after delivery follow up procedure.

Introduction4

Obesity4

Background of the Problem4

Impact of Obesity6

Consequences of Obesity7

Health Risks7

Psychological and Social Effects8

Prevalence of Adolescence Pregnancy in the United States8

Gestational Obesity in Adolescence9

Consequences of Adolescence Gestational Obesity10

Impact of Obesity on Gestational Pregnancy11

Teenage Pregnancy and its Complications12

Gestational Weight and Its Effect on Infants12

Significance of the Study13

Discussion13

Intervention Goals, Approach and Rationale13

Energy (Caloric) Intake Management and Rational18

Intervention Format and Content19

Study Retention21

Outcome Measures22

Secondary Outcomes23

Maternal Outcomes23

Conclusion24

References26

Appendix33

Obesity and Teenage Pregnancy

Introduction

Obesity

An individual is considered as obese if he surpasses 120% of the median weight for height. Scientifically, obesity occurs when the consumption is lower than food intake resulting imbalance in calories in and calories out. Causes of obesity include high calorie ingestion, binge eating, excess use of sweet and fatty food, junk food, psychological problems causing bulimia or other unhealthy eating style. Additionally sedentary routine, work or study load, lack of motivation for physical activates and exercises for children and adolescence, hereditary factors, side effects of disease or drugs are the most likely causes of obesity among adolescence.

Prevalence of Obesity

Obesity (body mass index (BMI) 030 kg/m2) has been increasing also among women of gestation age. According to the results of a survey conducted in the United States from 2003-2006 about 32% of women from 20-44 years of age were obese (WHO, 2009). Moreover, in UK the obesity among pregnant women has also been amplified (Kanagalingamet al. 2005; Heslehurstet al. 2007).

Background of the Problem

The survey of national youth Risk behavior found that among adolescence of the United States, 47% had sexual intercourse once, 6% had undergone sexual intercourse before 13 years of age, 15% had four or more sexual partners, during three months before the survey was conducted, about 34% had sexual intercourse with one person and during the recent sexual intercourse 40% of adolescence did not use contraception. Moreover, survey indicated that before current sexual intercourse, 77% of students did not use pills for birth controlling, Depo-Provera, injections, rings, implanon or IUD. Nevertheless, 22% took alcohol or drugs before recent sexual intercourse National Center HIV/AIDS, Viral Hospital, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health.

Causes of Obesity

Genetic, environmental, psychological and other factors may contribute in developing obesity.

Genetic Factors

Obesity may have a genetic cause as it tend to run in families. Common lifestyle and diet pattern among family members also ...