A new study from Harvard Medical School makes the connection between a mother’s weight gain during pregnancy and the child’s future chances of becoming obese. Previous studies have focused on younger children; this study focused on children and teens aged 9 to 14 years.

Normal recommended weight gain during pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds. Women who are considered overweight going into a pregnancy are counselled to gain a little less (15-25 pounds), while women who are underweight are often encouraged to gain 28-40 pounds.

The Harvard study showed that when pregnant women gained a higher-than-recommended amount during their pregnancy, their children tended to be overweight. When these children were compared with children whose mothers stayed within or below the recommended guidelines, they were heavier on average and were more likely to be overweight by the time they were 9 to 14 years old.

The study’s authors proposed some reasons why this phenomenon may occur. For example, women who gain excess weight during pregnancy may be genetically predisposed to gain weight more easily, and may pass this trait on to their offspring. Another theory is that women who gain excess weight may alter their baby’s intrauterine environment, which may in turn “program” their children to gain weight more easily.

In light of this study, the authors remarked that, in light of the obesity epidemic, guidelines should be re-examined and possibly revamped.

Related Links:

Video: Eating for your Healthy Pregnancy

Harvard Study from physorg

Pregnancy Weight Gain: What's Healthy? from the Mayo Clinic