Excess maternal weight gain during pregnancy is associated with overweight/obesity in offspring at age 16 years, but maternal pre-pregnancy obesity has a greater effect
- Endocrinology Unit, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh UK
- Correspondence to: Dr Rebecca M Reynolds
Endocrinology Unit, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; R.Reynolds{at}ed.ac.uk
Commentary on:
Implications for practice and research
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▶ Children of mothers who are obese prior to pregnancy, and/or gain excessive weight in early pregnancy, carry increased risk for obesity in adolescence.
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▶ Obese women of childbearing age should be actively supported to achieve lifestyle modification prior to conception or in early pregnancy.
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▶ Research is needed to identify strategies for optimal gestational weight gain (GWG) and lifestyle modification before and during pregnancy.
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▶ Studies need to identify women at highest risk of excess GWG plus potential benefits of intense dietary and lifestyle counselling.
Context
In the last two decades, UK …
