BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major public health problem among women of reproductive age. In a narrative review, we examined the influence of maternal obesity during pregnancy on fetal outcomes and childhood adiposity, cardio-metabolic, respiratory and cognitive-related health outcomes. We discuss results from recent studies, the causality and potential underlying mechanisms of observed associations and challenges for future epidemiological studies. SUMMARY: Evidence from observational studies strongly suggests that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain are associated with increased risks of fetal pregnancy complications and adverse childhood cardio-metabolic, respiratory and cognitive-related health outcomes. It remains unclear whether these associations are due to intrauterine mechanisms or explained by confounding family-based sociodemographic, lifestyle and genetic factors. The underlying mechanisms have mainly been assessed in animal studies and small human studies, and are yet to be further explored in large human studies. Key Message: Maternal obesity is an important modifiable factor during pregnancy that is associated with a variety of adverse offspring health outcomes. Further studies are needed to explore the causality and underlying mechanisms of the observed associations. Ultimately, preventive strategies focused on reducing maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy may reduce common diseases in future generations.
BACKGROUND:Obesity is a major public health problem among women of reproductive age. In a narrative review, we examined the influence of maternal obesity during pregnancy on fetal outcomes and childhood adiposity, cardio-metabolic, respiratory and cognitive-related health outcomes. We discuss results from recent studies, the causality and potential underlying mechanisms of observed associations and challenges for future epidemiological studies. SUMMARY: Evidence from observational studies strongly suggests that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain are associated with increased risks of fetal pregnancy complications and adverse childhood cardio-metabolic, respiratory and cognitive-related health outcomes. It remains unclear whether these associations are due to intrauterine mechanisms or explained by confounding family-based sociodemographic, lifestyle and genetic factors. The underlying mechanisms have mainly been assessed in animal studies and small human studies, and are yet to be further explored in large human studies. Key Message: Maternal obesity is an important modifiable factor during pregnancy that is associated with a variety of adverse offspring health outcomes. Further studies are needed to explore the causality and underlying mechanisms of the observed associations. Ultimately, preventive strategies focused on reducing maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy may reduce common diseases in future generations.
Authors: Ellis Voerman; Susana Santos; Bernadeta Patro Golab; Pilar Amiano; Ferran Ballester; Henrique Barros; Anna Bergström; Marie-Aline Charles; Leda Chatzi; Cécile Chevrier; George P Chrousos; Eva Corpeleijn; Nathalie Costet; Sarah Crozier; Graham Devereux; Merete Eggesbø; Sandra Ekström; Maria Pia Fantini; Sara Farchi; Francesco Forastiere; Vagelis Georgiu; Keith M Godfrey; Davide Gori; Veit Grote; Wojciech Hanke; Irva Hertz-Picciotto; Barbara Heude; Daniel Hryhorczuk; Rae-Chi Huang; Hazel Inskip; Nina Iszatt; Anne M Karvonen; Louise C Kenny; Berthold Koletzko; Leanne K Küpers; Hanna Lagström; Irina Lehmann; Per Magnus; Renata Majewska; Johanna Mäkelä; Yannis Manios; Fionnuala M McAuliffe; Sheila W McDonald; John Mehegan; Monique Mommers; Camilla S Morgen; Trevor A Mori; George Moschonis; Deirdre Murray; Carol Ní Chaoimh; Ellen A Nohr; Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen; Emily Oken; Adriëtte J J M Oostvogels; Agnieszka Pac; Eleni Papadopoulou; Juha Pekkanen; Costanza Pizzi; Kinga Polanska; Daniela Porta; Lorenzo Richiardi; Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman; Luca Ronfani; Ana C Santos; Marie Standl; Camilla Stoltenberg; Elisabeth Thiering; Carel Thijs; Maties Torrent; Suzanne C Tough; Tomas Trnovec; Steve Turner; Lenie van Rossem; Andrea von Berg; Martine Vrijheid; Tanja G M Vrijkotte; Jane West; Alet Wijga; John Wright; Oleksandr Zvinchuk; Thorkild I A Sørensen; Debbie A Lawlor; Romy Gaillard; Vincent W V Jaddoe Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2019-02-11 Impact factor: 11.069
Authors: Sarah R McCoski; McCauley T Vailes; Connor E Owens; Rebecca R Cockrum; Alan D Ealy Journal: BMC Genomics Date: 2018-10-11 Impact factor: 3.969