Obesity Linked to 23.1% Risk of Gestational Diabetes, Raising Alarm to Maternal and Child Health

Hyderabad, 17 May 2025 – Obesity among Indian women is a growing health crisis with far-reaching implications across a woman’s life, from adolescence to menopause. New data shows that urban obesity among women has reached 33.5%, with rural areas not far behind at 19.7%, painting a worrying picture of how lifestyle changes are reshaping women’s health across India. A recent study published in the Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research, led by experts from the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction, calls attention to the growing obesity crisis in women.

Today where busy urban lifestyle often come at the cost of physical activity and balanced diets, health experts are raise alarm about the rise in central obesity, particularly among South Asian women. This pattern of fat distribution, often overlooked, is associated with higher risks of chronic conditions and reproductive complications. Studies show that 23.1% of women with obesity go on to develop gestational diabetes, raising the risk of complications during pregnancy and long-term effects on both mother and child. Additionally, obesity has been linked to a fivefold increase in urinary incontinence, a condition that silently undermines quality of life but remains widely underdiagnosed and untreated.

“We’re increasingly seeing a strong link between obesity and fertility issues” said Dr. Shantha Kumari, Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist and Past President, FOGSI , Treasurer FIGO. “Women living with obesity often face longer conception times, higher miscarriage risks, and lower live birth rates even with assisted reproduction. In a city like Hyderabad, where many women are balancing demanding work and family roles, early steps in the right direction before pregnancy can make all the difference.”

Obesity is also a major contributor to urinary incontinence, with women facing over 5 times the risk compared to those at a healthy weight.

Dr. Lakshmi Chirumamilla, Fertility Specialist and Medical Director at a leading Hyderabad fertility center, added, “We need to create awareness that weight loss is more than just about appearance; it is a chronic condition that requires serious interventions. Fertility is also impacted, along with other conditions such as an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and joint problems, which can

eventually lead to metabolic syndrome at a very young age. Obesity also raises the risk of endometrial and breast cancer. Regarding fertility, women who are obese face a higher risk of PCOS, which can lead to infertility. Obesity can increase the time to pregnancy, and once conceived, the risk of miscarriage and various pregnancy-related complications multiplies significantly”

Encouragingly, a first-of-its-kind step-wise algorithm was designed for OBGs to assess and treat obesity in India women. The paper also highlights that even a modest 5–10% reduction in body weight can significantly improve the overall quality of life along with lifestyle changes including moderate daily exercise and a high-fiber, low-glycemic diet, remaining the cornerstone of treatment, supported by medication and, in select cases, bariatric surgery.