Mothers' Weight Before and During Pregnancy Affects Baby's Weight

A new study has revealed that both pre-pregnant weight and weight gain during pregnancy are important predictors of babies' birthweight. Since birthweight may also predict weight as an adult, this is an important finding. Results from the study demonstrated that birthweight of a newborn child increased with increasing maternal pre-pregnant body mass index (BMI), and that offspring birthweight also increased with increasing weight gain of the mother during pregnancy. Therefore, it is critical to encourage women to maintain a healthy weight before conception and to maintain a moderate weight gain during pregnancy, in order to avoid high birthweight in offspring. The study contributes important knowledge for the battle against obesity.

Link to the article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213110521.htm