Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans have been used in the research of 82 babies while in the womb, to study levels of fat found in newborn babies. The results show that child obesity begins while a baby is still in the womb, and an overweight mum is more likely to give birth to a fat baby.
Professor Neena Modi led the study, and is the leading expert in health problems which are high risk in newborn babies. The scans were used to look at fat levels of babies in the womb. Some of the babies had fat around the abdomen area, much like an adult aged 50 would have. Heart disease, diabetes, brittle bone disease and asthma are all more common in children who are overweight. Nearly 50 percent of women who are child bearing age are obese or overweight, with 15 percent of expectant women being obese. Obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of a woman dying during pregnancy, suffering a stillbirth or a complication while pregnant, which can be fatal for mum or baby.
According to Professor Modi, the scans proved that a mother being overweight or obese while pregnant could affect the levels of fat in a baby, which could be harmful. During a study of 51 girls and 54 boys, the team discovered that 31 of those babies had more fat around their tummy area than expected. The levels of fat increased in relation to the mother’s obesity levels. The babies whose mothers were obese had huge build ups of fat in their liver, which is unusual in newborns. The percentages increased according to the mothers BMI.
As the results of the study were published, obesity is predicted to add around £6.3 billion a year to the NHS bill by 2015 unless the problem is dealt with. Professor Modi believes that all women should know that being overweight or obese could affect their child’s health, even before they are born.
