Weighty Issue – Obesity Effecting Fetal Brain

Does a Mom’s weight before pregnancy impact her child’s intelligence years later?

Researchers in Britain studied more than 19,000 kids as part of a national health survey. The data showed that the more overweight a woman was before pregnancy, the lower the child’s cognitive abilities at age 5, and again at age 7, although the overall effect was modest.

Obesity may have direct effects on the developing fetal brain. The study supports current recommendations that women considering motherhood aim for a healthy weight before, during and after pregnancy.