Maternal obesity, overweight, and pregnancy outcomes: a cross-sectional study at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Obesity and overweight remain rising public health challenges globally, with worse outlook in low-resource settings. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight, the associated sociodemographic characteristics, and the maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcomes at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. This hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at the maternity block of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital between March and June 2024. Participants were postpartum women aged 18 years and above who had singleton pregnancies, delivered after 28 weeks of gestation, had booking weight and height recorded in their antenatal records, and were enrolled within 24–72 h after delivery. Data collection utilized pretested questionnaires, and Body Mass Index was calculated using antenatal booking weight and height. Descriptive statistics, including mean (with standard deviation), frequency tables, charts, and graphs, were used to summarize the results. A chi-square test was used to determine the possible association between independent variables and BMI categories. Fisher’s exact test was utilized when any of the categories had fewer than five participants. All associations were evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and a 5% significance level. The average age of the respondents was 31.1 ± 5.9years, with modal age-group of 30–34; and average gestational age at booking was 10weeks 3 days(± 1week4days). Overall, 30.3% of participants were obese and 27.8% overweight. Although obesity and overweight appeared more frequent among participants with hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, and caesarean deliveries, none of these associations reached statistical significance (all p > 0.05). Majority (81.3%) had term delivery; 94% of infants had normal Apgar scores at both 1 and 5 min, while at 5 min 3.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% had mild, moderate, and severe asphyxia, respectively. An estimated 63.6% of obese mothers had macrosomic infants. We found a high prevalence of obesity and overweight among pregnant women. Higher BMI was more common among women who were married, multiparous, unemployed, or had no formal education. It was also more common among those with hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, postpartum haemorrhage, caesarean delivery, and macrosomia. However, none of these associations reached statistical significance in this sample. Interventions focusing on promoting healthy weight management and physical activity during pregnancy are essential.