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A groundbreaking study from the University of South Australia has found that children born to mothers who are obese before and during pregnancy face a significantly higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric and behavioral conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This comprehensive research, which analyzed data from over 3.6 million mother-child pairs across 42 epidemiological studies, highlights the urgent need for maternal health interventions.
Funded by the Centre of Research Excellence Health in Preconception & Pregnancy and conducted in collaboration with Curtin University, Monash University, and SAHMRI, the study revealed alarming statistics regarding the implications of maternal obesity on child mental health. The findings indicate that:
- The risk of developing ADHD in children increases by 32% when mothers are obese during pregnancy.
- The likelihood of children developing ASD more than doubles, with a 2.23 times higher risk associated with maternal obesity.
- The risk of conduct disorders in children also rises by 16%.
Pre-Conception Obesity Findings
Furthermore, the research underscores that pre-conception obesity or overweight status is linked to increased risks not only of ADHD and ASD but also conduct disorders and psychotic disorders. Children born to obese mothers were found to have a 30% higher risk of externalizing symptoms and difficulties in peer relationships.
Dr. Bereket Duko, the lead researcher, emphasized the long-term implications of maternal body weight on the mental health of children. “Maternal obesity has long been associated with a range of adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight,” Dr. Duko explained. “In this study, we found significant links between both pre-conception and pregnancy obesity and psychiatric and behavioral problems in children, specifically ASD, ADHD, and peer relationship issues.”
With Australia reporting that about one in 150 individuals are diagnosed with ASD and over 8% of children aged 4-11 are identified with ADHD, the findings are particularly relevant. Globally, the prevalence of obesity remains high, with one in eight individuals affected.
Dr. Duko highlighted the pressing need for interventions focused on maternal weight management before and during pregnancy. “Public health efforts targeting maternal health could help mitigate some of the risks of neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders in children,” he stated. He also called for further research to explore the biological mechanisms behind these associations, reiterating the importance of health interventions that promote healthy living and weight among parents.
The study, titled “Associations between maternal preconception and pregnancy adiposity and neuropsychiatric and behavioral outcomes in the offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” was published on August 15, 2024, in Psychiatry Research.
For further reading, the study can be accessed via DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116149.
