Children of moms who smoked or were obese are more likely to become obese adults, study finds

Obesity is a prevalent global public health concern, with experts continuously debating the root causes of its rising rates. A recent study published in the open-access journal PLOS One sheds light on the influence of various factors on a person’s weight, emphasizing the role of environmental and early-life factors in shaping obesity.

The study, conducted by Glenna Nightingale and colleagues from the University of Edinburgh, UK, delved into the impact of societal and early-life factors on an individual’s weight status. Factors such as socioeconomic status, job type, birth order, delivery method, and maternal habits like smoking or obesity were analyzed in relation to obesity prevalence at ages 16 and 42.

Drawing data from the 1958 National Child Development Study, which followed over 17,000 individuals born in the UK, the researchers found compelling evidence linking maternal influences to the likelihood of offspring being overweight or obese. The study revealed a persistent effect of early-life factors on weight status, regardless of the onset of the obesity epidemic in the UK.

The results underscore the importance of targeting obesity prevention programs towards children and adults based on societal and early-life risk factors. The researchers advocate for further studies to identify community and societal-level factors that may have fueled the current obesity pandemic, given that individual risk factors have remained consistent over time.

In conclusion, the study highlights the enduring impact of maternal influences on weight status up to age 42 and calls for a deeper exploration of societal determinants of obesity. By understanding the interplay of individual behaviors and environmental factors, public health initiatives can be tailored to address the multifaceted nature of obesity.

For more details on this study, readers can refer to the publication in PLOS One titled “Sociodemographic and early-life predictors of being overweight or obese in a middle-aged UK population– A retrospective cohort study of the 1958 National Child Development Survey participants.” (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320450).

This article was provided by the Public Library of Science. For further information, visit their website at www.plos.org.