Maternal BMI, parity, and pregnancy weight gain: influences on offspring adiposity in young adulthood.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of obesity among women of childbearing age is increasing. Emerging evidence suggests that this has long-term adverse influences on offspring health.


OBJECTIVE
The aim was to examine whether maternal body composition and gestational weight gain have persisting effects on offspring adiposity in early adulthood.


METHODS
The Motherwell birth cohort study was conducted in a general community in Scotland, United Kingdom.


METHODS
We studied 276 men and women whose mothers' nutritional status had been characterized in pregnancy. Four-site skinfold thicknesses, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI), were measured at age 30 yr; sex-adjusted percentage body fat and fat mass index were calculated.


METHODS
Indices of offspring adiposity at age 30 yr were measured.


RESULTS
Percentage body fat was greater in offspring of mothers with a higher BMI at the first antenatal visit (rising by 0.35%/kg/m2; P<0.001) and in offspring whose mothers were primiparous (difference, 1.5% in primiparous vs. multiparous; P=0.03). Higher offspring percentage body fat was also independently associated with higher pregnancy weight gain (7.4%/kg/wk; P=0.002). There were similar significant associations of increased maternal BMI, greater pregnancy weight gain, and parity with greater offspring waist circumference, BMI, and fat mass index.


CONCLUSIONS
Adiposity in early adulthood is influenced by prenatal influences independently of current lifestyle factors. Maternal adiposity, greater gestational weight, and parity all impact on offspring adiposity. Strategies to reduce the impact of maternal obesity and greater pregnancy weight gain on offspring future health are required.
Reynolds
R M
RM
Endocrinology Unit, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom. R.Reynolds@ed.ac.uk
Osmond
C
C
Phillips
D I W
DI
Godfrey
K M
KM
D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D015430:Weight Gain; D044465:White People