Obese women who fall pregnant are twice as likely to lose their baby in the womb or in their first year of life, scientists have found.
A study led by Dr Ruth Bell of Newcastle University examined more than 40,000 pregnancies at maternity units throughout the North East.
The total risk of baby deaths among obese women - classed as those with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 was 1.6 per cent compared with 0.9 per cent in normal weight women who have a body mass of between 18.5 and 24.5.
According to the study, this means infant mortality rates for babies born to obese women were on average 16 in 1,000 babies but for mothers of a healthy weight, nine per 1,000 died.
Scientists who led the study stressed it was important for women to achieve a healthy weight before getting pregnant to give their babies the best chance, but warned against dieting during pregnancy.
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