Fat mums more likely to have chubby babies

Melbourne, Oct 20 : Overweight mums are more likely to have plump babies, setting them a lifetime risk of diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses, studies have shown.

One study has revealed that one in three Aussie babies are at an increased risk of becoming overweight because their mothers are obese, with researchers believing that the brain's appetite controls can be set in early life.

"Maternal obesity and overfeeding early on in life caused significant changes in the chemicals that regulate appetite, which may suggest that the babies were programmed to eat differently from those born from lean mothers," the Daily Telegraph quoted lead author Professor Margaret Morris, as saying.

"Appetite is controlled by particular centres within the brain. As brain control of appetite is likely set early in life, nutrient availability in the foetal or early post-natal period may contribute to adult obesity. We have a good opportunity here to prevent adult obesity," Morris added.

The study, to be published in the International Journal of Obesity, found that slightly undernourished rat pups were healthier adults, while overfed babies were fatter.

A separate UNSW study, published in US journal Endocrinology, revealed pups from obese mother rats fed more milk were almost twice as heavy as those born to lean mothers feeding normally.

ANI