Mom's Weight May Influence Children's Obesity Risk
Researchers Study 8,500 Low-Income Ohio Women
POSTED: 9:46 am EDT July 6,
2004
CHICAGO -- A new study says children born to obese women are more than twice as likely to be overweight by age 4.
Researchers in Cincinnati say it suggests prevention efforts should begin at -- or even before -- birth. The study of nearly 8,500 low-income women in Ohio found that by 4 years of age, 24 percent of children were obese if their mothers had been obese during the first trimester of pregnancy. That compares with 9 percent of children whose mothers had been of normal weight.
The study is published in the July issue of the journal Pediatrics. Previous research has suggested overweight women run a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and of having babies with heart problems. The study's author said research, plus the latest study, indicates that women planning to become pregnant should try to reach an ideal weight first.
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