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Maternal gestational diabetes and childhood obesity at age 9-11: results of a multinational study

Pei Zhao1, Enqing Liu1, Yijuan Qiao1,2

  • 1Tianjin Women's and Children's Health Center, Tianjin, China.

Diabetologia
|August 12, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is linked to a higher risk of childhood obesity. This association, particularly for central obesity, persists even after accounting for maternal body mass index (BMI).

Area of Science:

  • Global Public Health
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects maternal and child health outcomes.
  • Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern with long-term implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal GDM and childhood obesity.
  • To assess obesity, central obesity, and high body fat in children aged 9-11 years.

Main Methods:

  • Multinational cross-sectional study of 4740 children (9-11 years).
  • Maternal GDM diagnosed using ADA or WHO criteria.
  • Objective measurements of child height, weight, waist circumference, and body fat.
  • Multilevel modeling to analyze associations, adjusting for numerous covariates.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of maternal GDM was 4.3%; childhood obesity was 12.3%.
  • Maternal GDM was associated with increased odds of childhood obesity (OR 1.53), central obesity (OR 1.73), and high body fat (OR 1.42).
  • The association remained significant for central obesity after adjusting for maternal BMI, but not for overall obesity or high body fat.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal GDM is associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity.
  • The link between GDM and childhood obesity is partially mediated by maternal BMI.
  • Central obesity showed a more robust association with maternal GDM independent of maternal BMI.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenGestational diabetesObesity

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