Parity and obesity

Abstract

Parity was found to be closely related to adiposity and prevalence of obesity in a population sample of 17,688 non-pregnant women aged 25-84. The women took part in multiphasic screening examinations in various parts of Finland in 1966-72. The relationship between parity and obesity was independent of other factors such as geographical area, region, marital status, occupation, smoking habits, or incapacity for work. Pregnant women were considered to be an important target population for nutritional education.