Maternal Obesity Emerges as Silent Pregnancy Risk in Karnataka, Warns Bengaluru Specialist on World Obesity Day
Parallel rise in gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension reported across city hospitals
Bengaluru, March 3, 2026: Marking World Obesity Day, senior gynaecologist and infertility specialist Dr Vidya V Bhat, Medical Director of Radhakrishna Multispeciality Hospital, has raised a red flag over the growing prevalence of obesity among women in the reproductive age group, calling it a silent but serious threat to maternal and newborn health in Karnataka.
What was once considered largely an urban problem has now spread beyond city limits. “Two decades ago, obesity was mostly confined to metropolitan areas. Today, we see it just as frequently in semi-urban and rural Karnataka. Sedentary lifestyles, increased consumption of processed foods, irregular sleep patterns and high stress levels have become widespread,” she said.
Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) indicate that nearly one in three urban women in Karnataka is overweight or obese. In Bengaluru, the trend is particularly evident among working women aged 25 to 39. Doctors across the city are simultaneously reporting a noticeable increase in gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension-both closely linked to higher body mass index (BMI).
“What is particularly concerning is that many young women are showing early signs of metabolic syndrome even before their first pregnancy. That was uncommon earlier,” Dr Bhat noted. She emphasised that weight management must be viewed as a health priority rather than a cosmetic concern. “Preparing the body for pregnancy is as important as planning one’s career or finances. Even modest, sustained lifestyle changes can significantly improve outcomes.”
Higher BMI in women of reproductive age is associated with infertility, recurrent miscarriages, high-risk pregnancies and greater maternal complications. Obesity disrupts hormonal balance, often leading to irregular ovulation, insulin resistance and reduced egg quality.
Drawing from her infertility practice, Dr Bhat said even small weight reductions can make a measurable difference. “In several cases, women have conceived naturally after losing just five to ten per cent of their body weight. Sometimes, weight correction works better than medication,” she said.
Urban centres such as Bengaluru are also witnessing a sharp rise in gestational diabetes. Obesity, she explained, is among the strongest modifiable risk factors. During pregnancy, insulin resistance naturally increases-and in overweight women, this effect is amplified, raising the likelihood of diabetes and hypertension.
Maternal obesity is also contributing to higher Caesarean section rates. Obese women are more prone to prolonged labour, poor uterine contractions, larger babies and fetal distress-all factors that increase the need for surgical delivery.
Surgical risks are also higher. “Operating on obese patients can be technically challenging and is associated with increased risks of wound infections, delayed healing, excessive blood loss, anaesthesia-related complications, deep vein thrombosis and longer hospital stays,” Dr Bhat said.
Describing the issue as a “silent public health crisis,” she pointed out that obesity often progresses gradually and is normalised within families. “It is frequently overlooked until complications such as diabetes or hypertension emerge. We are seeing more ICU admissions related to complicated deliveries and high-risk newborns linked to maternal obesity,” she added.
The impact extends beyond a single pregnancy. Children born to obese mothers face a higher risk of obesity and metabolic disorders later in life, underscoring the intergenerational consequences.
Dr Bhat stressed the importance of pre-conception counselling, particularly for overweight women. Early intervention allows for weight optimisation, correction of thyroid imbalances, blood sugar control and nutritional improvement before conception. “A planned pregnancy is always safer, especially for women with higher BMI,” she said.
She also highlighted the crucial role families play in encouraging healthier lifestyles-promoting balanced home-cooked meals, discouraging overfeeding and supporting regular physical activity.
As obesity rates climb steadily across Karnataka, clinicians warn that addressing maternal health before conception may be key to safeguarding both mothers and the next generation.
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