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EDITORIALS: Jennifer M Walsh and Deirdre J Murphy Weight and pregnancy BMJ 2007; 335: 169 [Full text]

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We Can't Help Much

Laurie R Davis   (29 July 2007)

We Can't Help Much 29 July 2007
Laurie R Davis, GP South Hermitage Surgery , South Hermitage, Shrewsbury sy3 7js Send response to journal: Re: We Can't Help Much	Walsh and Murphys review of pregnancy and weight raises some interesting issues.However, the final statement "The challenge for many women of maintaining a stable BMI cannot be understimated ,and this may require professional support and advice" would imply that we have some effective,safe and persistent intervention to offer. Sadly we have little to offer to the obese(Clearly a larger problem in the West than low BMI), other than warnings about the risks.The solution to the problem is blindingly obvious ,yet beyond the reach of health professionals ; we can neither regulate their eating behaviour nor make them exercise.Prescribing drugs (In any case relatively contraindicated in women seeking pregnancy) implies we are taking the problem seriously but avoids patients having to face ,for a while,the reality of their lifestyle choice.We are as ineffective as spectators at a football match - we cannot kick the ball ,just wave and encourage.Obesity remains a socio-behavioural problem ; consulting rooms are not the place it will be solved. Competing interests: Stable body mass and no chance of pregnancy.