A global pandemic of obesity is unfolding, resulting in new challenges for all healthcare professionals, especially those working with pregnant women and neonates. Worldwide, an estimated 1.6 billion adults are overweight and 400 million adults are obese. As the prevalence of obesity increases in the general popluation, there has been an unprecedented rise in obesity in women of reproductive age. Mounting evidence shows an association between obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

In view of increasing concern, this article calls critical attention to risks faced by obese pregnant women and the potential for adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes. In addition, this article highlights implications for best practice of obese mothers and their newborns.

Program Objectives:
* Describe the evidence surrounding maternal overweight and obesity and its impact on the mother, fetus, and newborn.

* Identify congenital anomalies associated with maternal obesity.

* Describe best practice interventions to promote successful breastfeeding for obese mothers and their infants.

* Discuss the Hyperglycemia Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study findings and their significance to obese mothers and their infants.

* Discuss the long-term effects of maternal obesity on her offspring.

Faculty Name: Anne M. Jorgensen, RNC, MS, NNP, DNPc

Bio: Anne M. Jorgensen, RNC, MS, NNP, DNPc is a nationally recognized educator, author, speaker, and nursing knowledge leader. As the CEO and president of Neostar USA, Anne provides perinatal and neonatal educational consulting services to hospitals and healthcare-related industry nation-wide. As a clinician, Anne has over 30 year’s experience and continues to practice as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY. Aside from her role as educational consultant, she has taught in the NNP program at Columbia University and is currently Instructor of Pediatrics at New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Anne received her BSN from Pace University, MS/NNP from Columbia University, and will receive a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Case Western University.

Program Date: June 2010

Media Format(s): Print (English)

Continuing Education Units: Nurse 1.0 Contact Hour