Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
Published on: May 17, 2024
Ethnic Differences in Effects of Maternal Pre-Pregnancy and Pregnancy Adiposity on Offspring Size and Adiposity
Xinyi Lin1, Izzuddin M Aris1, Mya Thway Tint1
1Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (X.L., P.D.G., Y.S.C., J.D.H., Y.S.L.), 117609 Singapore; Department of Paediatrics (I.M.A., S.E.S., Y.S.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.T.T., Y.S.C.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (S.E.S.), National University of Singapore, 117597 Singapore; MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (K.M.G.), University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD United Kingdom; Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine (G.S.-H.Y., K.K.), KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 229899 Singapore; Department of Reproductive Medicine (J.K.-Y.C.), KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 229899 Singapore; Centre for Human Evolution, Adaptation and Disease (P.D.G.), Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Paediatrics (F.Y.), KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 229899 Singapore; Department of Biochemistry (J.D.H.), National University of Singapore, 117596 Singapore; and Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (Y.S.L.), Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, National University Health System, 119228 Singapore.
Insights
Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) influence child size and adiposity up to two years. These effects vary significantly by ethnicity, highlighting the need for culturally specific health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Obesity Research
- Maternal Health and Nutrition
- Human Growth and Development
Background:
- Maternal adiposity and overnutrition before and during pregnancy are critical determinants of offspring obesity and metabolic health.
- Understanding these early-life influences is essential for developing effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent associations of maternal pre-pregnancy adiposity and mid-pregnancy gestational weight gain (GWG) with offspring size and adiposity in early childhood.
- To determine if these associations differ across ethnic groups.
Main Methods:
- A prospective mother-offspring cohort study included 976 participants (56% Chinese, 26% Malay, 18% Indian).
- Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI (ppBMI), mid-pregnancy GWG, and skinfold thicknesses were assessed.
- Offspring size (weight, length) and adiposity (skinfolds) were measured at birth and up to 24 months of age.
Main Results:
- Higher ppBMI and GWG were independently linked to increased offspring birth weight and skinfold thickness.
- ppBMI and mid-pregnancy suprailiac skinfold predicted postnatal adiposity up to 2 years; GWG predicted postnatal length.
- The impact of GWG on offspring weight and length was significant in Chinese and Indian, but not Malay, ethnic groups.
Conclusions:
- Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG are modifiable factors influencing child size and adiposity in the first two years of life.
- Observed associations are ethnicity-dependent, emphasizing the need for tailored, population-specific risk assessments.
- These findings underscore the importance of ethnic-specific research to generalize findings on maternal risk factors.
Context:
Maternal adiposity and overnutrition, both before and during pregnancy, plays a key role in the subsequent development of obesity and metabolic outcomes in offspring.
Objective:
We explored the hypothesis that maternal adiposity (pre-pregnancy and at 26-28 weeks' gestation) and mid-pregnancy gestational weight gain (GWG) are independently associated with offspring size and adiposity in early childhood, and determined whether these effects are ethnicity dependent.
Design:
In a prospective mother-offspring cohort study (N = 976, 56% Chinese, 26% Malay, and 18% Indian), we assessed the associations of offspring size (weight, length) and adiposity (subscapular and triceps skinfolds), measured at birth and age 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo, with maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI), mid-pregnancy GWG, and mid-pregnancy four-site skinfold thicknesses (triceps, biceps, subscapular, suprailiac).
Results:
ppBMI and mid-pregnancy GWG were independently associated with postnatal weight up to 2 y and skinfold thickness at birth. Weight and subscapular and triceps skinfolds at birth increased by 2.56% (95% confidence interval, 1.68-3.45%), 3.85% (2.16-5.57%), and 2.14% (0.54-3.75%), respectively for every SD increase in ppBMI. Similarly, a one-SD increase in GWG increased weight and subscapular and triceps skinfolds at birth by 2.44% (1.66-3.23%), 3.28% (1.75-4.84%), and 3.23% (1.65-4.84%), respectively. ppBMI and mid-pregnancy suprailiac skinfold independently predicted postnatal skinfold adiposity up to 2 years of age, whereas only GWG predicted postnatal length. The associations of GWG with postnatal weight and length were present only among Chinese and Indians, but not Malays (P < .05 for interaction).
Conclusions:
ppBMI and GWG are independent modifiable factors for child size and adiposity up to 2 years of age. The associations are ethnic-dependent, and underscore the importance of ethnic specific studies before generalizing the applicability of risk factors reported in other populations.
More Related Videos
05:17Author Spotlight: Enhancing the Offspring Health in Rats with Maternal Exercise During Pregnancy
Published on: April 5, 2024
11:44A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta
Published on: September 27, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational