New Study Finds Pregnant Mothers BMI May Not Influence Child’s BMI

A pregnant woman's body mass index has less of an influence on her child's BMI than previously believed, according to a new study published in the journal BMC Medicine. Children with a high BMI, measuring 25 or higher, were more likely to be overweight or obese due to environmental factors (that makes children eat more and exercise less) rather than their mother's weight when she was pregnant. The results showed there was a small link between the BMI of the mother and the weight of the baby at birth, but the causation disappeared as the child grew up. A child's environment and lifestyle, such as living close to a high number of fast-food restaurants or away from large green, open areas can affect a child's BMI.