https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/landia/PIIS2213-8587(16)30107-3.pdf

Influence of maternal obesity on the long-term health of offspring.

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/landia/PIIS2213-8587(15)00227-2.pdf

Effect of a behavioural intervention in obese pregnant women (the UPBEAT study): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

Maternal obesity during pregnancy is an important public health problem in Western countries. Currently, obesity prevalence rates in pregnant women are estimated to be as high as 30 %. In addition, approximately 40 % of women gain an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy in Western countries. An accumulating body of evidence suggests a long-term impact of maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy on adiposity, cardiovascular and metabolic related health outcomes in the offspring in fetal life, childhood and adulthood. In this review, we discuss results from recent studies, potential underlying mechanisms and challenges for future epidemiological studies.

/pdf/maternal-obesity-during-pregnancy-and-cardiovascular-2dxz73s6gy.pdf

Maternal obesity during pregnancy and cardiovascular development and disease in the offspring.

Childhood and adolescent obesity have reached epidemic levels in the United States. Currently, about 17% of US children are presenting with obesity. Obesity can affect all aspects of the children including their psychological as well as cardiovascular health; also, their overall physical health is affected. The association between obesity and other conditions makes it a public health concern for children and adolescents. Due to the increase in the prevalence of obesity among children, a variety of research studies have been conducted to discover what associations and risk factors increase the probability that a child will present with obesity. While a complete picture of all the risk factors associated with obesity remains elusive, the combination of diet, exercise, physiological factors, and psychological factors is important in the control and prevention of childhood obesity; thus, all researchers agree that prevention is the key strategy for controlling the current problem. Primary prevention methods are aimed at educating the child and family, as well as encouraging appropriate diet and exercise from a young age through adulthood, while secondary prevention is targeted at lessening the effect of childhood obesity to prevent the child from continuing the unhealthy habits and obesity into adulthood. A combination of both primary and secondary prevention is necessary to achieve the best results. This review article highlights the health implications including physiological and psychological factors comorbidities, as well as the epidemiology, risk factors, prevention, and control of childhood and adolescent obesity in the United States.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2333794X19891305

Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in the United States: A Public Health Concern:

Maternal lifestyle during pregnancy, as well as early nutrition and the environment infants are raised in, are considered relevant factors for the prevention of childhood obesity. Several models are available for the prediction of childhood overweight and obesity, yet most have not been externally validated. Moreover, the factors considered in the models differ among studies as the outcomes manifest after birth and depend on maturation processes that vary between individuals. The current Review examines and interprets data on the early determinants of childhood obesity to provide relevant strategies for daily clinical work. We evaluate a selection of prenatal and postnatal factors associated with child adiposity. Actions to be considered for preventing childhood obesity include the promotion of healthy maternal nutrition and weight status at reproductive age and during pregnancy, as well as careful monitoring of infant growth to detect early excessive weight gain. Paediatricians and other health-care professionals should provide scientifically validated, individual nutritional advice to families to counteract excessive adiposity in children. Based on systematic reviews, original papers and scientific reports, we provide information to help with setting up public health strategies to prevent overweight and obesity in childhood. Obesity among children and adolescents is highly prevalent in both developed and developing countries. This Review discusses data on the early determinants of childhood obesity in order to provide relevant strategies for daily clinical work.

/pdf/from-conception-to-infancy-early-risk-factors-for-childhood-2tnqane7cs.pdf

From conception to infancy - early risk factors for childhood obesity.

https://eprints.ncl.ac.uk/file_store/production/255268/B7EDA3BF-B2F5-4244-B3C0-1FB121A3B9C7.pdf

Benjamin D Barton

Papers

Modifiable early-life risk factors for childhood adiposity and overweight: an analysis of their combined impact and potential for prevention