Preterm U.S. birth rates in 2020 varied depending on the prepregnancy body mass index of the mother. There was a higher rate of preterm births for all infants whose mothers' BMI did not fall under the category of "normal weight". Specifically, mothers who had a BMI correspondent to the highest level of obesity also had the highest preterm birth rates.
This graph shows the percentage of births in the United States in 2020 that were preterm, by maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI).
Percentage of births in the United States that were preterm in 2020, by maternal prepregnancy body mass index
The Body Mass Index (BMI) "is moderately correlated with direct measures of body fat and is based on weight and height and calculated as kg / m^2."
"BMI values under 18.5 are classified as underweight; those from 18.5 to 24.9 are classified as normal or healthy weight; values from 25.0 to 29.9 are classified as overweight; and values of 30.0 and over are classified as obesity. Within the obesity category, BMI is further divided into three classes. Class I obesity includes BMI values from 30.0 to 34.9, Class II obesity includes values from 35.0 to 39.9, and Class III obesity includes BMI values of 40.0 and over."
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CDC. (December 28, 2021). Percentage of births in the United States that were preterm in 2020, by maternal prepregnancy body mass index [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 31, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1309743/preterm-births-by-prepregnancy-bmi-us/
CDC. "Percentage of births in the United States that were preterm in 2020, by maternal prepregnancy body mass index." Chart. December 28, 2021. Statista. Accessed December 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1309743/preterm-births-by-prepregnancy-bmi-us/
CDC. (2021). Percentage of births in the United States that were preterm in 2020, by maternal prepregnancy body mass index. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1309743/preterm-births-by-prepregnancy-bmi-us/
CDC. "Percentage of Births in The United States That Were Preterm in 2020, by Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index." Statista, Statista Inc., 28 Dec 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1309743/preterm-births-by-prepregnancy-bmi-us/
CDC, Percentage of births in the United States that were preterm in 2020, by maternal prepregnancy body mass index Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1309743/preterm-births-by-prepregnancy-bmi-us/ (last visited December 31, 2024)
Percentage of births in the United States that were preterm in 2020, by maternal prepregnancy body mass index [Graph], CDC, December 28, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1309743/preterm-births-by-prepregnancy-bmi-us/
