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Updated: Oct 2, 2025
Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Maternal weight and gestational diabetes impacts on child health
Kathryn V Dalrymple1,2, Sarah El-Heis1, Keith M Godfrey1,3
1Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton.
Insights
Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly increase offspring risks for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and developmental disorders. Addressing these risks requires preconception healthy weight support and GDM prevention strategies for public health.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Rising maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rates contribute to childhood obesity.
- Maternal obesity is linked to offspring cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, respiratory infections, asthma, ADHD, psychiatric disorders, and colorectal cancer.
- GDM is associated with offspring cardiovascular disease, asthma, high refractive error, ADHD, and psychiatric disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent evidence on the links between maternal body mass index (BMI) and GDM with offspring health outcomes.
- To synthesize current understanding of the intergenerational health impacts of maternal metabolic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of recent scientific literature.
- Evidence synthesis of observational studies and meta-analyses.
Main Results:
- Maternal obesity and GDM are established contributors to childhood obesity and related disorders.
- Specific offspring risks include cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, respiratory issues, asthma, ADHD, and psychiatric disorders.
- Long-term risks extend into adulthood, including colorectal cancer.
Conclusions:
- The long-term consequences of maternal obesity and GDM pose significant public health challenges across the life course.
- A systems-based approach focusing on preconception healthy weight and GDM prevention is crucial.
- Interventions are needed to mitigate intergenerational health risks.
Purpose Of Review:
To review recent evidence linking maternal body mass index and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with offspring health outcomes.
Recent Findings:
It is now established that the rising prevalences of maternal obesity and GDM are both making substantial contributions to the growing burden of childhood obesity and associated disorders. Strengthening evidence also links maternal obesity with increased offspring risks of cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, lower respiratory tract infections during infancy, wheezing illnesses, asthma and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during childhood, and with higher risks of psychiatric disorders and colorectal cancer in adulthood. GDM has been associated with increased offspring risks of cardiovascular disease, childhood wheeze/asthma (but not allergic sensitization), and with high refractive error, attention deficit hyperactivity and psychiatric disorders from childhood onwards.
Summary:
The long-term consequences of maternal obesity and GDM for the offspring in childhood and later adult life present major challenges for public health across the life course and for future generations. Tackling these challenges requires a systems-based approach to support achieving a healthy weight in young people prior to conception, alongside new insights into population based preventive measures against gestational diabetes.
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