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Health news - Obesity before pregnancy linked to weight problems in childhood9 December 2005 - written by Zosia Kmietowicz for BUPA's health information team Young children are far more likely to be overweight if their mothers were overweight or obese before they became pregnant, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. Improving the eating habits of obese women before they conceive may help to prevent weight problems in their children, the researchers suggest. How was the study carried out?More than 3000 children took part in the study.1 Researchers measured their height and weight three times - when they were aged between 2 and 3, 4 and 5, and 6 and 7. The researchers also collected information on the mothers to see what factors may have influenced their child's weight. This included their ethnic group, their age when they gave birth, their weight before they became pregnant, their marital status, whether they smoked when they were pregnant and whether they breastfed their child as a baby.1 What did the study show?The study found that if a woman was overweight before she became pregnant, her child was up to three times more likely to be overweight by the age of seven than a child whose mother was not overweight or obese.1 The more obese a woman was before she became pregnant, the greater the risk that her child would be overweight or obese. The researchers also found that:1
What did the researchers conclude?The researchers concluded that the factors that influence a child's weight are present even before it is born. They suggest that that the best way to tackle obesity is to monitor children's weight from a very young age. Children who are overweight when they reach their second birthday are likely to be overweight later in their life. For this reason, overweight children should get help to try to attain a healthier weight. The researchers also say that it's important to counsel women who are obese and thinking about becoming pregnant to help them achieve a more healthy weight.1 Women who smoke should also be encouraged to quit before they become pregnant, as this can also increase the chances that their child will be overweight. However, this is an association, and the researchers have not proven a causal link between women smoking and their children becoming overweight. How is obesity measured?A person's weight is usually judged as healthy or not using a measure called BMI. This compares a person's weight with their height. To work out your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres and divide the answer by your height again. Here is what the results mean:
How common is obesity?More adults and children in the UK than ever before are now defined as being overweight or obese. Around one in four men and women in England are obese.2 This is almost twice the number of people who were obese 10 years ago.2 Women are slightly more likely than men to be obese. In 2003, four in 10 children under 11 were either overweight or obese.3 In 1995, the figure was three in 10.3 Boys are slightly more likely than girls to be obese.3 What's the best way to lose weight?For most people, losing weight is possible through reducing calorie intake and doing more exercise. Gradual weight loss is important. Choose a diet that promotes gradual weight loss - 0.5kg to 1kg a week is a sensible target - otherwise you'll be losing water and muscle rather than fat. Avoid fad diets, which can be restrictive, and make sure that you eat the right kinds of foods. A good diet will include foods from all the major food groups. In general, the aim is to reduce calorie intake by about 500 to 1000 calories a day. You should also increase how much you exercise. Aim to do 30 minutes of exercise a day. It should make you feel slightly warm and out-of-breath. What can I do if my child is overweight?If you are concerned that your child may be overweight, ask your doctor for advice. Children need to be supervised to make sure that their growth and development continues normally. Children should be doing at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise every day. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has produced guidelines to help doctors manage children's weight.4 They say that to help children achieve a healthy weight the whole family may need to get involved. The family may need to look at their eating habits and general lifestyle, and work together to eat more healthily and exercise more. Your GP may be able to refer you to local parenting support groups and activity groups. BUPA Information:
Further information
References
All pages were accessed on 7 December 2005
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