Lifetime Experiences of Violence and Risk of Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Obesity

Abstract

Background: We examined the extent to which lifetime experiences of violence are associated with pre-pregnancy obesity, a risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. We separately examined whether two additional factors, history of depression or material hardships, modified the associations. Methods: Among 1635 women participating in Project Viva, we administered the Personal Safety Questionnaire to assess lifetime experiences of violence before pregnancy. We determined pre pregnancy obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) from self-reported height and weight. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined associations of presence, timing and severity of experiences of violence with pre-pregnancy obesity, and assessed for effect modification by history of depression or material hardships. Results: Overall, 254 women (15.5%) were obese pre-pregnancy and 631 (38.6%) reported ever experiencing violence; 547 (33.5%) reported experiencing violence in childhood or adolescence, 234 (14.5%) in adulthood, and 150 (9.2%) in both time periods. Experiences of violence during adulthood (OR 1.69) or both childhood/adolescence and adulthood (OR 1.89) were significantly associated with pre-pregnancy obesity. Stratification by history of pre-pregnancy depression or material hardships strengthened the observed associations. Conclusions: Women who had experienced violence had higher odds of pre-pregnancy obesity. These associations were stronger among women who had experienced depression or material hardships.