Antenatal and postnatal depression in women with obesity: a systematic review

Steinig, Jana; Nagl, Michaela; Linde, Katja; Zietlow, Grit; Kersting, Anette

doi:10.1007/s00737-017-0739-4

Review Article
Published: 13 June 2017

Antenatal and postnatal depression in women with obesity: a systematic review

Jana Steinig¹,
Michaela Nagl¹,
Katja Linde¹,
Grit Zietlow¹ &
Anette Kersting¹

Archives of Women's Mental Health volume 20, pages 569–585 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Obesity and depression are prevalent complications during pregnancy and associated with severe health risks for the mother and the child. The co-occurrence of both conditions may lead to a particular high-risk group. This review provides a systematic overview of the association between pre-pregnancy obesity and antenatal or postnatal depression. We conducted a systematic electronic literature search for English language articles published between January 1990 and March 2017. Inclusion criteria were (a) adult pregnant women, (b) women with pre-pregnancy obesity and normal weight controls, (c) definition of obesity according to the IOM 1990/2009 criteria, (d) established depression measure, and (e) report on the association between pre-pregnancy obesity and antenatal or postnatal depression. Fourteen (eight prospective (PS), six cross-sectional (CS)) studies were included. One study reported data from a large community-based sample, and one reported cross-national data. Of 13 studies examining pre-pregnancy obesity and antenatal depression, 9 found a higher risk or higher levels of antenatal depression among women with obesity relative to normal weight (6 PS, 3 CS), while 4 studies found no association (2 PS, 2 CS). Of four studies examining pre-pregnancy obesity and postnatal depression, two studies found a positive association (two PS), one study (CS) reported different findings for different obesity classes, and one study found none (PS). The findings suggest that women with obesity are especially vulnerable to antenatal depression. There is a need to develop appropriate screening routines and targeted interventions to mitigate negative health consequences for the mother and the child. Research addressing the association between obesity and postnatal depression is too limited to draw solid conclusions. Results are mainly based on selective samples, and there is a need for further high-quality prospective studies examining the association between pre-pregnancy obesity and antenatal and postnatal depression.

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Jana Steinig and Michaela Nagl contributed equally to this work and share first authorship.

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Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
Jana Steinig, Michaela Nagl, Katja Linde, Grit Zietlow & Anette Kersting

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Jana Steinig
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Michaela Nagl
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Katja Linde
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Grit Zietlow
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Anette Kersting
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Correspondence to Anette Kersting.

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Steinig, J., Nagl, M., Linde, K. et al. Antenatal and postnatal depression in women with obesity: a systematic review. Arch Womens Ment Health 20, 569–585 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-017-0739-4

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Received: 29 August 2016
Accepted: 26 May 2017
Published: 13 June 2017
Issue Date: August 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-017-0739-4

Keywords

Obesity
Pregnancy
Depression
Psychopathology