Excessive Weight Gain during Pregnancy Leads to Heavier Teenagers

Tuesday, December 30, 2008 by: Reuben Chow
Tags: weight gain, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) Women, of course, gain weight during pregnancy, though some gain more than others. And, according to a study at the Harvard Medical School, these women may not only have heavier babies, but bigger teenagers, too.

Using data of almost 12,000 children and teenagers, the study found that those whose mothers had put on more than the recommended amount of weight while going through pregnancy had a 42% higher chance of being obese. And this increased likelihood of being heavier was independent of other factors, such as the mothers' weight before pregnancy, family income, as well as the educational level of the parents.

The study had looked at 11,994 children aged between 9 and 14 whose mothers had been part of the Nurses' Health Study II, a long-term health study of female nurses. In total, 6.5% of the children were obese, and their weight tended to be higher whenever their mothers had exceeded the guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy. By the time they hit 9 to 14 years old, children whose mothers had gained excessive weight during pregnancy were 42% more likely to be obese, as compared to those whose mothers had gained the recommended amount of weight.

The Institute of Medicine in the United States recommends that a woman in the normal-weight range gain about 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Those who were overweight before pregnancy should, on the other hand, put on less, about 15 to 25 pounds, while those who were underweight before pregnancy should put on 28 to 40 pounds instead.

Previous studies had already linked too much weight gain during pregnancy with higher chances of childhood obesity. With the findings of this latest study, there could well be proof that the fetal environment has a "sustained effect" on children's weight regulation, reported Dr Emily Oken and the study team in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Indeed, the study team hypothesizes that excess weight gained during pregnancy may affect fetal development in a manner which then makes the children more likely to gain extra weight. Research carried out on animals, for example, had found that overeating during pregnancy changes certain genetic factors in the offspring, factors which are involved in fat regulation; overeating also seems to have an effect on the parts of the brain which control the appetite, too.

As far as human beings are concerned, could there be another factor – the fact that parents who have a tendency toward unhealthy and weight-increasing eating habits would end up feeding the same types of food and transmitting the same habits to their children? In my view, this is a highly conceivable possibility.

In any case, women may want to take note – it is important to enter a pregnancy with healthy weight, and then gain the recommended amount. On top of a better chance for healthy weight for their offspring during their childhood and teenage years, there are numerous other benefits to this advice, both for mothers and children.

Source

Pregnancy pounds predict kids' weight as teens (http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/s...)

About the author

Reuben Chow has a keen interest in natural health and healing as well as personal growth. His website, All 4 Natural Health, offers a basic guide on natural health information. It details simple, effective and natural ways, such as the use of nutrition, various herbs, herb remedies, supplements and other natural remedies, to deal with various health conditions as well as to attain good health. His other websites also cover topics such as depression help, omega 3 fatty acids, as well as cancer research and information.