title: Long-term consequences of maternal overweight in pregnancy on offspring later health: findings from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Maternal obesity has consequences for the offspring's later health. Only few studies have focused upon the long-term consequences of maternal obesity on the offspring's later health.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 13,345 men and women born in Helsinki during 1934-44 belonging to the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study were included in the study. Data on maternal weight and height in late pregnancy were available from hospital records. Using validated national registers we report on the following outcomes in relation to maternal BMI: death, cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes among the offspring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maternal BMI was positively associated with each of the later health outcomes of the offspring. The associations were strongest for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The association with type 2 diabetes was stronger in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings stress the importance of early prevention of overweight and obesity in women of child-bearing age.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Chronic Disease Prevention , Helsinki , Finland.
authors.forename: Johan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sandboge
authors.forename: Minna K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Salonen
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kajantie
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Osmond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Cancer; cardiovascular disease; maternal obesity; offspring health; type 2 diabetes