Experts have discovered further evidence that heavier women could be more likely to have children who suffer from asthma.
Those who are overweight or obese before they become pregnant are 20-30% more likely to have teenagers who wheeze or have asthma, say researchers.
The new evidence comes from a study that involved almost 7000 15- and 16-year-olds born in 1985 and 1986 in northern Finland.
The heaviest women in the study, who weighed between 62kg and 130kg, were much more likely to have children with wheezing symptoms than those who weighed less.
Professor Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin, study author from Imperial College London, said the heavier the women, ‘the more the risk of wheezing and asthma-like symptoms’.
She added that children of obese women who have a history of allergy also have a ‘much higher risk of wheezing’.
RCM education and professional development advisor Gail Johnson said: ‘The findings are interesting, although the reasons for the findings remain unclear.
‘However it, re-enforces the message that diet and lifestyle before and during pregnancy remain important factors.
‘It also underlines the importance of the value of information and advice from midwives and other health professionals for women.
‘This is beneficial for the health of the woman and the long-term health of her baby.
Tackling obesity is an important health initiative, not simply something which impacts on women during pregnancy.
‘Investment in services to ensure that support and education to reduce obesity within the population is likely to be cost effective in improving the long-term-health of the nation.’
The researchers say the study does not definitely show that obesity causes respiratory symptoms among teenagers, but it reinforces previous research with similar findings.
The study is published in the
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
