Investigating depressive symptoms in obese pregnancy: identifying risk factors, influences on gestational weight gain and birthweight, and exploring underlying mechanisms

Depression in mothers during pregnancy is common and is potentially devastating, affecting the wellbeing of both
mother and baby. Obese women are at high risk of depression and, alarmingly, one in five Scottish pregnant
women is obese. We plan to assess rates of depressive symptoms in severely obese and normal-weight pregnant
women. We will identify any additional risk factors for depression, determine any adverse consequences for
mother and baby, and explore one potential underlying mechanism, namely altered maternal stress hormone
levels. Ultimately we hope to be able to identify those women most at need of intervention to prevent this major
health problem.