<![CDATA[Preeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Maternal obesity is an important modifiable risk factor; however, evidence from geographically isolated regions such as Central Papua remains limited. This study aimed to examine the association between maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) and preeclampsia risk among pregnant women attending a referral hospital in Central Papua, Indonesia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary antenatal medical records from RSUD Paniai, Central Papua, collected between January and September 2024. A total of 77 eligible pregnant women were included using total population sampling. Maternal BMI was calculated from weight and height measured at the first antenatal visit and categorized according to World Health Organization criteria as obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) or non-obese (<30 kg/m²). Preeclampsia was diagnosed by attending obstetricians based on Indonesian National Clinical Practice Guidelines. Associations were assessed using Pearson’s Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression adjusted for maternal age and gestational age. Among the 77 participants, 35 (45.5%) were obese, and 30 (39.0%) had preeclampsia. Mild preeclampsia occurred exclusively among obese women (42.9%), while severe preeclampsia occurred in 31.4% of obese versus 9.5% of non-obese women. After adjustment, obesity remained independently associated with preeclampsia (adjusted OR = 7.85; 95% CI: 2.28–27.00; p < 0.001). In summary, maternal obesity was strongly associated with increased preeclampsia risk in Central Papua. These findings support routine BMI assessment, nutritional counseling, and early identification of high-risk pregnancies during antenatal care, particularly in geographically remote settings.]]>
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