ABSTRACT
DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION Obesity is defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2, and extreme obesity is defined as BMI ≥40.0 kg/m2 (Table 3.1) [1]. Super obesity is a term originally used by bariatric surgeons to describe patients with BMIs of ≥50 kg/m2 or more than 225% above ideal body weight [2]. BMI is defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI correlates best with body fat mass. It is a simple clinical tool with online calculators available (https://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/). Increasing severity of class of obesity in pregnancy is associated with greater risks of adverse perinatal outcomes (Table 3.2) [3-67] and other health risks (Table 3.3) [4]. A waist circumference >88 cm or 35 inches measured at the level of the iliac crest in expiration is an indicator of central obesity that identifies obese women at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
