A prospective study of maternal prenatal weight and offspring cardiometabolic health in midchildhood

Abstract

Purpose To examine the relations of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with offspring cardiometabolic health. Design We studied 1,090 mother-child pairs in Project Viva, a Boston-area pre-birth cohort. We measured overall (DXA total fat; BMI z-score) and central adiposity (DXA trunk fat), and SBP in offspring at 6–10 years. Fasting bloods (n=687) were assayed for insulin and glucose (for calculation of HOMA-IR), triglycerides, leptin, adiponectin, hsCRP and IL-6. Using multivariable linear regression, we examined differences in offspring outcomes per 1 SD maternal ppBMI and GWG. Results After adjustment for confounders, each 5 kg/m2 higher ppBMI corresponded with 0.92 (95% CI: 0.70, 1.14) kg higher total fat, 0.27 (0.21, 0.32) BMI z-score, and 0.39 (0.29, 0.49) kg trunk fat. ppBMI was also positively associated with HOMA-IR, leptin, hsCRP, IL-6, and SBP; and lower adiponectin. Each 5 kg of GWG predicted greater adiposity (0.33 [0.11, 0.54] kg total fat; 0.14 [0.04, 0.23] kg trunk fat) and higher leptin (6% [0%, 13%]) in offspring after accounting for confounders and ppBMI. Conclusions Children born to heavier mothers have more overall and central fat and greater cardiometabolic risk. Offspring of women with higher GWG had greater adiposity and higher leptin.

Maternal obesity and offspring body composition by indirect methods: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Among the 20 articles that met the inclusion criteria, six included both exposures 6,27,28,29,30,31 . The average score of the selected articles was 15.4, with a minimum of 13 and a maximum of 18.…”

“…Ten studies were conducted in the United States 5,6,29,30,32,33,34,35,36,37 , two in the United Kingdom 28,38 , two in Denmark 32,39 , one in Australia 27 , one in Brazil 31 , and one in Portugal 40 ( Table 1). The number of participants in the cohorts ranged from 78 34 to 3,263 38 .…”

“…All studies except for three 28,30,37 , stratified maternal pre-pregnancy BMI to establish maternal overweight and/or obesity. Eight studies measured body composition in newborns 5,6,27,29,32,33,37,40 , whilst all other studies measured body composition in childhood (2-11 years of age).…”

The Role of Genetic, Dietary and Lifestyle Factors in Pediatric Metabolic Syndrome: A Review of the Literature from Prenatal to Adolescence

“…Project Viva, which recruited 1,090 mother-child pairs, demonstrated that each 5-unit increase in maternal BMI pre-pregnancy was associated with a 0.92 kg increase in total fat and 0.39 kg trunk fat in the offspring at birth. Each 5 kg of weight gained during pregnancy was positively and significantly associated with greater total and trunk adiposity (determined using dual x-ray absorptiometry) in the offspring, after adjustment [64]. Whilst mothers with gestational diabetes and pre-pregnancy obesity are…”

Joint Effect of Maternal Plasma Homocysteine and Prepregnancy Obesity on Child Blood Pressure: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study

“…15 Maternal prepregnancy obesity has been linked to higher offspring systolic blood pressure (SBP), likely through intrauterine mechanisms. 16,17 In animal and human studies, maternal obesity also has been associated with high blood Hcy levels. 18,19 From this perspective, studying the association between maternal Hcy and child BP in the presence and absence of maternal prepregnancy obesity could provide new insight into their joint association with child BP.…”