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Effects of Overweight and Obesity in Pregnancy on Health of the Offspring

Margaret L Dow1, Linda M Szymanski1

  • 1Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 59505, USA.

Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America
|May 19, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Maternal overweight and obesity during pregnancy pose significant health risks to both mother and child. Promoting healthy nutrition and exercise in women of childbearing age can help prevent future health issues for the next generation.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Overweight and obesity in pregnancy present numerous risks to maternal and fetal well-being.
  • Obesity exacerbates common pregnancy complications like preterm and cesarean deliveries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the extensive risks associated with maternal obesity for mother, fetus, and offspring.
  • To highlight the long-term health implications for children born to obese mothers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on maternal obesity and its consequences.
  • Analysis of associations between maternal obesity and fetal/offspring health outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Maternal obesity is linked to fetal anomalies, metabolic disorders (diabetes, obesity), allergies, asthma, and attention-deficit disorder in offspring.
  • Increased risk of iatrogenic preterm delivery and cesarean delivery.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted interventions focusing on nutrition and exercise in women of childbearing age are crucial.
  • Early lifestyle interventions may mitigate risks and prevent obesity in the next generation.

Keywords:
ChildhoodObesityOffspringOverweightPregnancy

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