Children of diabetic mothers at greater risk of overweight as young adults

Children of diabetic mothers at greater risk of overweight as young adults.

In 2012 a study was published in a peer review journal (Matern Child Health J. 2012 Jan;16(1):125-32. doi: 10.1007/s10995-011-0756-2) which showed that maternal gestational diabetes status is associated with offspring overweight status during childhood.
A similar study in 2011 by researchers in Colorado, showed that Exposure to maternal diabetes in utero accelerates BMI growth in late childhood, thus increasing long-term obesity risk (J Pediatr. 2011 Jun;158(6):941-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.12.007. Epub 2011 Jan 15).
One of the most important questions that I ask my patients who are mothers and coming in with concerns about weight, is, “did you have gestational diabetes?”
Gestational diabetes is when a womans blood glucose levels rise above normal during pregnancy. Typically these women will have significant weight gain with pregnancy and their babies will be born in the higher weight category.
A diet low in carbohydrates from breads, pasta and starchy tubers as well as sugar; along with 250 minutes of exercise weekly is natures best medicine. Start with feeding your children protein with every meal and a colorful plate (natural colors from whole fruits and vegetables please!). If you give pasta or bread, give it last. Children are often hungry before dinner is ready. Put a plate of cut up apples and carrots on the table as an appetizer, you will be surprised how much they will eat!