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

Helen Castillo-Laura,Alicia Matijasevich,Iná S Santos,Lenice C M Quadros

doi:10.1590/0102-311x00159914

Helen Castillo-Laura, Alicia Matijasevich + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00159914

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Abstract

This study reviewed the evidence that assessed the association between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and/or gestational weight gain and offspring body composition in childhood. A systematic review was conducted. Cohort studies, case-control studies and randomized controlled trials measuring offspring body composition by indirect methods were included. Meta-analyses of the effect of pre-pregnancy BMI on offspring fat-free mass, body fat percent, and fat mass were conducted through random-effects models. 20 studies were included, most of which reported a positive association of pre-pregnancy BMI with offspring body fat. Standardized mean differences in body fat percent, fat mass and fat-free mass between infants of women with normal pre-pregnancy BMI and those of overweight/obese women were 0.31 percent points (95%CI: 0.19; 0.42), 0.38 kg (95%CI: 0.26; 0.50), and 0.18 kg (95%CI: -0.07; 0.42), respectively. Evidence so far suggests that pre-pregnancy maternal overweight is associated with higher offspring adiposity.

Highlights

MethodsAccording to observational studies, carried out in high income countries, maternal lifestyle, dietary habits, physical activity and work hours could influence offspring size at birth, and weight development in childhood [1,2,3]
This study reviewed the evidence that assessed the association between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and/or gestational weight gain and offspring body composition in childhood
Meta-analyses of the effect of pre-pregnancy BMI on offspring fat-free mass, body fat percent, and fat mass were conducted through random-effects models. 20 studies were included, most of which reported a positive association of pre-pregnancy BMI with offspring body fat

Summary

Introduction

According to observational studies, carried out in high income countries, maternal lifestyle, dietary habits, physical activity and work hours could influence offspring size at birth, and weight development in childhood [1,2,3]. Pre-pregnancy and gestational maternal body composition may impact offspring body fat mass at birth, in childhood and in adolescence, and may predict the risk of obesity in adulthood [4,5,6,7,8]. Several studies have shown that a high increment in maternal gestational weight gain associated with increased offspring body mass index (BMI) 17,18,19 whereas other studies have reported no such association [20,21]. Across a number of generations a potential intergenerational cycle of increased risk of obesity and metabolic sequelae in the offspring of obese mothers is expected, with important implications for public health policies [4,11,12]

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