Surreal illustration of a pregnant woman in a divided neighborhood, representing the impact of environment on maternal health.

Decoding Maternal Obesity: How Neighborhoods Impact Pregnancy Health

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A UK study reveals the link between deprivation and maternal obesity, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions."

Maternal obesity is a growing concern, known to increase the risk of adverse outcomes for both mothers and their children. While individual factors like diet and exercise play a significant role, emerging research suggests that the environment where a woman lives can also have a profound impact on her health during pregnancy.

A recent study conducted in Portsmouth, UK, sheds light on the connection between maternal obesity and neighborhood deprivation. This research highlights how living in deprived areas, characterized by limited resources and opportunities, can significantly increase a woman's risk of obesity during pregnancy.

This article will explore the key findings of the Portsmouth study, examining the relationship between maternal obesity and deprivation, and discussing the implications for public health interventions. By understanding these complex interactions, we can work towards creating healthier environments and reducing health inequalities for pregnant women and their children.

The Deprivation-Obesity Connection: What the Research Reveals

Surreal illustration of a pregnant woman in a divided neighborhood, representing the impact of environment on maternal health.

The Portsmouth study analyzed the records of 3,830 women who delivered at a local hospital between April 2013 and March 2014. Researchers used the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), a national measure that combines various indicators of deprivation such as income, employment, education, and health, to assess the level of deprivation in the women's neighborhoods. The study looked to correlate areas of high deprivation with the percentage of obese mothers in those regions. Women self-reported weight and height to calculate the BMI.

The study accounted for other factors that could influence maternal obesity, such as age, ethnicity, smoking status, and parity (number of previous births). After adjusting for these potential confounders, the researchers found a significant association between deprivation and maternal obesity:

Women living in the most deprived areas (highest IMD quintile) were 1.6 times more likely to be obese compared to those in the least deprived areas (lowest IMD quintile).
Maternal obesity was also associated with ethnicity and parity, with Asian women being less likely to be obese and women with three or more previous births being more likely to be obese.
Age and smoking status were not found to be significantly associated with maternal obesity in this study.

These findings suggest that neighborhood deprivation plays a significant role in maternal obesity, independent of individual-level factors. This highlights the need to address the social and environmental determinants of health to improve pregnancy outcomes.

Turning the Tide: Strategies for a Healthier Future

The Portsmouth study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between neighborhood deprivation and maternal obesity. By understanding these connections, we can develop targeted interventions to address the root causes of health inequalities and improve pregnancy outcomes.

Here are some potential strategies for creating healthier environments and reducing maternal obesity in deprived areas:

<ul> <li>Address food deserts: Increase access to affordable, healthy food options in deprived areas by supporting local farmers markets, community gardens, and mobile grocery stores.</li> <li>Promote active living: Create safe, accessible spaces for physical activity, such as parks, playgrounds, and walking trails.</li> <li>Empower communities: Engage local residents in the design and implementation of health promotion programs, ensuring that interventions are culturally relevant and meet the specific needs of the community.</li> <li>Strengthen healthcare access: Improve access to prenatal care and nutrition counseling for women in deprived areas, addressing barriers such as transportation, childcare, and language.</li> <li>Advocate for policy change: Support policies that promote healthy food environments, reduce poverty, and address social inequalities.</li> </ul>

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/pubmed/fdy110, Alternate LINK

Title: Multiple Deprivation And Other Risk Factors For Maternal Obesity In Portsmouth, Uk

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Journal of Public Health

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: I V Walker, J A Cresswell

Published: 2018-07-13

Everything You Need To Know

What did the Portsmouth study reveal about the connection between where a woman lives and her chances of being obese during pregnancy?

The Portsmouth study, conducted in the UK, demonstrated a significant correlation between neighborhood deprivation and maternal obesity. Women residing in the most deprived areas, as indicated by the highest quintile of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), were 1.6 times more likely to be obese compared to those in the least deprived areas (lowest IMD quintile). This suggests that environmental factors significantly influence pregnancy health.

What exactly is the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), and how was it used in the Portsmouth study?

The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is a national measure used in the UK to assess the level of deprivation in specific areas. It combines various indicators such as income, employment, education, and health to provide a comprehensive score reflecting the overall deprivation level of a neighborhood. Researchers use the IMD to understand how different aspects of deprivation collectively impact health outcomes like maternal obesity.

Besides neighborhood conditions, what other elements did the Portsmouth study consider when examining maternal obesity?

The Portsmouth study accounted for several factors that could influence maternal obesity, including age, ethnicity, smoking status, and parity (number of previous births). Researchers adjusted for these potential confounders to isolate the specific impact of neighborhood deprivation, measured by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), on maternal obesity. By controlling these variables, the study aimed to provide a clearer understanding of the relationship between a woman's environment and her weight during pregnancy.

If living in a deprived neighborhood increases the risk of maternal obesity, what does the Portsmouth study suggest about how we should approach public health?

The findings imply that public health interventions should target the root causes of health inequalities in deprived areas to improve pregnancy outcomes. Focusing solely on individual-level factors like diet and exercise may not be sufficient. Instead, strategies should address the social and environmental determinants of health, such as improving access to healthy food, creating safe spaces for physical activity, and providing resources to support pregnant women in deprived neighborhoods. These interventions could significantly reduce maternal obesity rates and improve overall maternal and child health.

The study highlights a link between neighborhood deprivation and maternal obesity; what important factors were not investigated, and what further research could be done?

While the Portsmouth study identified a strong link between neighborhood deprivation, measured by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), and maternal obesity, it did not explore the specific mechanisms driving this association. Future research could investigate factors such as access to healthcare services, availability of healthy food options, exposure to environmental toxins, and levels of social support within deprived communities. Understanding these pathways could inform more targeted and effective interventions to address maternal obesity and improve pregnancy outcomes in deprived areas.