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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Maternal lifestyle characteristics during pregnancy, and the risk of obesity in the offspring: a study of 5,125 children

Authors: Stamatis P Mourtakos, Konstantinos D Tambalis, Demosthenes B Panagiotakos, George Antonogeorgos, Giannis Arnaoutis, Konstantinos Karteroliotis, Labros S Sidossis

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

To investigate the association between gestational weight gain, maternal age and lifestyle habits (e.g., physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption) during pregnancy, with Body Mass Index of the offspring at the age of 8.

Methods

Α random sample of 5,125 children was extracted from a national database and matched with their mothers. With the use of a standardised questionnaire, telephone interviews were carried out for the collection of information like: maternal age at pregnancy, gestational weight gain (GWG), exercise levels, smoking and alcohol consumption. The Body Mass Index (BMI) status of the offspring at the age of 8 was calculated from data retrieved from the national database (e.g., height and weight).

Results

The odds for being overweight/obese at the age of 8 for 1 kg GWG, for smoking, and for mild exercise during pregnancy compared to sedentary was 1.01 (95%CI: 1.00, 1.02), 1.23 (95%CI: 1.03, 1.47) and 0.77 (95%CI: 0.65, 0.91), respectively. Further analysis revealed that offspring of women who exceeded the Institute of Medicine (IOM) maternal weight gain recommendations were at an increased risk of obesity (OR: 1.45; 95%CI, 1.26, 1.67) compared with offspring of women with GWG within the recommended range. Maternal age and alcohol consumption were not associated with the outcome (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

GWG, physical activity and smoking status during pregnancy were significantly associated with obesity for the offspring at the age of 8. Health care professionals should strongly advise women to not smoke and to perform moderate exercise during pregnancy to prevent obesity in the offspring in later life.
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Metadata
Title
Maternal lifestyle characteristics during pregnancy, and the risk of obesity in the offspring: a study of 5,125 children
Authors
Stamatis P Mourtakos
Konstantinos D Tambalis
Demosthenes B Panagiotakos
George Antonogeorgos
Giannis Arnaoutis
Konstantinos Karteroliotis
Labros S Sidossis
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-015-0498-z

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