Helping women with weight before pregnancy 'could prevent childhood obesity'

Women of childbearing age should be given weight management support to help prevent childhood obesity, researchers have said.

A study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow, suggests the chance of a child becoming obese is trebled if their mother was obese before getting pregnant.

These children are also more likely to be overweight as they grow up, according to the research.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said the findings show the importance of obese and overweight women getting appropriate care before, during and after pregnancy.

Researchers from the University of Newcastle analysed data from studies investigating the link between maternal and child body mass index (BMI).

They found that when a mother was obese before becoming pregnant, the likelihood of her child also developing obesity before reaching the age of 19 was 3.64 times greater than those born to women whose BMI had been in the recommended range.

When mothers were overweight before conception, the chance of childhood obesity was 1.89 times higher.

"This research has identified a more than three-times increased risk of child obesity when mothers have pre-conception obesity,'' the authors said.

"This data provides substantial evidence for the need to develop interventions commencing prior to conception in order to support women of childbearing age with weight management and contribute towards prevention of intergenerational obesity.''

Kate Brintworth, head of maternity transformation at the RCM, said: "For women considering pregnancy it is strongly recommended that are a healthy weight before they conceive and maintain a healthy lifestyle during their pregnancy.

"Although most women, even if overweight, will have a straightforward pregnancy we know that along with the well documented impacts on people's general health, being obese in pregnancy can increase the chances of complications for both the mother and the health of her baby.

"These complications can include increased chances of miscarriage, developing gestational diabetes and high blood pressure

"As a result we need to ensure that overweight and obese women get the right care and advice before, during and after the birth to support them with weight management.''

Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: "It is vital that every female of childbearing age strives to be in optimum physical shape before considering the responsibilities of conception.

"This is in order to minimise the future health risks for her child but also her own health too.

"From the early years of secondary school all girls should know how to maintain the acceptable BMI range so that whenever they decide to conceive their bodies are ready for pregnancy."