Child obesity is linked to mothers’ unhealthy diet during pregnancy

A new study led by the University of Southampton shows that supporting women to eat a healthy diet before pregnancy can reduce the risk of obesity in their children

The global child obesity rate is rising

Obese children are more likely to become obese adults and have long-term effects on their health

A new study led by Dr.

Long-term analysis

The researchers analyzed the diet data of 2,963 pairs of mothers and children, which are part of the Southampton Women’s Survey in the United Kingdom, which is a long-term study of the health of mothers and children

As part of the survey, these women were interviewed and their answers were used to fill out questionnaires about their diet and their children's diet

The collected dietary information is used to give each mother and child a comprehensive diet quality score

Long-term impact

Before pregnancy, mothers who are younger, have a lower education, and smoke and have higher body mass index tend to have poorer eating habits in their children

When these children were 8 to 9 years old, the researchers used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans to assess the amount of fat tissue in their bodies

The results of the study published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that if a mother and child have a lower quality diet, the child’s DXA body fat percentage and BMI will be higher at the age of eight or nine

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