Researchers have found children are at greater risk of developing diabetes and obesity if their mothers are gaining too much or too little weight during pregnancy stage. The international study conducted by the Chinese University (CUHK) discovered that mild elevation of glucose among pregnant moms was already linked to excess birth weight, as well as pregnancy complications.
The study followed 800 pairs of Hong Kong children and mothers in a span of 11 years, which is actually part of a broader study - Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome - involving 25,000 pregnant women coming from 15 centers around the world.
Professor Tam Wing-hung of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology dismissed the idea of eating for two during pregnancy, explaining that gaining too much or too little weight might lead to health problems in children - including poorer blood control or high blood pressure.
Professor Ronald Ma Ching-wan, who is a specialist in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, also said the study found out that children who were born to mothers with mild elevation of glucose (gestational diabetes) were already three times more at risk of either having diabetes or elevated glucose when they reach the age of seven and have a 50 percent chance of being obese by the age of 11.
As per the South China Morning Post, the findings of the study pointed out that although diabetes isn't a non-communicable disease, the illness can still be transmitted through mother and child.
Meanwhile, another study has been conducted to assess the effectiveness of a Lifestyle Modification Program, developed by the CUHK Center for Nutritional Studies aiming to help people stay healthy. The study recruited a total of 220 pregnant women who are at risk of gestational diabetes, and then they were assigned to a control group or a modification program group.
Senior research fellow at the Centre for Nutritional Studies, Ruth Chan Suk-mei, noted the Lifestyle Modification Program is effective particularly in improving excessive gestational weight gain, as well as the dietary quality of pregnant women.
Bernice Cheung Ho-ki, who is a registered dietitian at the center, also suggested that pregnant moms should prepare healthy snacks and eat an even spread of food all day. Moreover, those who often eat at restaurants should avoid soft drinks, soup, minced meat, and animal skins or fat.
The guidelines from the US Institute of Medicine recommended the weight gain for women with a normal BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 should be about 25 to 35 pounds, while 28 to 40 pounds for those who have a BMI under 18.5. For overweight mothers, the recommended weight gain was 15 to 25 pounds and 11 to 20 pounds for obese mothers.
