Sexually Active Teens: Obese Teenagers At Higher Risk Of Pregnancy

A new study suggests that sexually active teens who are obese may be more likely to become pregnant than their normal weight counterparts.

"The U.S. teen pregnancy rate is one of the highest in the developed world and we know pregnant adolescents are more likely to have poor birth outcomes," Tammy Chang, lead author of the study, said in a statement.

For the study, researchers analyzed 26,545 weekly journal surveys that measured both sexual practices and contraceptive use from a longitudinal study of over 900 women ages 18-19 in Michigan--all ages that are linked to the highest rates of unintended pregnancy.

The findings revealed just how obese adolescents have been known to differ from normal-weight peers in a number of ways, including lower self-esteem, which may, in turn, hinder safe-sex practices, including the obtainment and use of contraceptives.

"Understanding sexual behaviors by weight status among adolescents is critical because of the risk of dangerous outcomes for moms and babies associated with obesity," Chang added.

Furthermore, higher weight levels during pregnancy can increase the risk of gestational diabetes, blood clots, the need for a Cesarean section (which can also increase the risk of complications during birth for the mother and/or child,) hypertensive disorders, stillbirths and birth-related injuries. Infants are also more likely to require time in the neonatal intensive care unit when the mother is obese throughout pregnancy.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the Journal of Pediatrics. 

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