Maternal smoking tied to overweight children

Maternal smoking in the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk of overweight in children later. The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and the rising number of obese children and adolescents is of particular concern. Smoking is a predisposing factor for abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Maternal smoking has been associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. On the other hand, the incidence of obesity is higher in children and adults born of smoking mothers. However, till date no study has examined whether smoking in the first trimester lead to childhood overweight. To examine associations between maternal smoking in the first compared with later trimesters of pregnancy and child overweight at age 5–7 years, Spanish researchers monitored 396 children. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between maternal smoking during different time periods and odds of child overweight later in life. It was found that maternal smoking during the first trimester was more strongly associated with overweight than smoking later in pregnancy. Neither paternal smoking nor maternal smoking before or after pregnancy was associated with child overweight. Further, smoking was associated with overweight only among children who were breast fed for less than six months. The findings provide further support for promoting smoking cessation, especially among pregnant women. Researches recommended prolonged breastfeeding that may help in countering adverse effects of smoking in early pregnancy.

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