Canadian Family Physician Médecin de famille canadien | 2021
Widespread misconceptions about pregnancy for women living with obesity
Abstract
M isconceptions about pregnant women who have obesity exist in the media and scientific literature. These misconceptions might negatively influence research quality and the delivery of health care. In 2014, Chaput and colleagues1 published a commentary discussing widespread misconceptions about obesity. In this article, we aim to build on their work with a discussion of misconceptions surrounding obesity during pregnancy, with a focus on gestational weight gain (GWG), using insights gained through consultations with physicians and researchers. Our objective is to challenge health care providers and researchers to rethink how we should care for and support women who have obesity during their pregnancy.