Fat moms = fat kids??

Mr_Bad_Example

From the article in question - "We know our genetic makeup influences our children's risks -- but so can our environment," foundation spokeswoman Dr. Beth Abramson said in a news release.

Genetics and environment work hand in hand. If a child has a higher chance of being overweight due to genes, then it makes sense to adapt the environment in a way that helps to minimize that risk (which is what SoVictoRRious says she is doing in her posts).

Something else to keep in mind (especially for the dimwit who thinks overweight women should not be allowed to get pregnant) - this is a study that looks at correlation, which illustrates the relationship between events or variables; it is not an illustration of cause and effect.

victoriavoodoo

My mom was larger most of my life(this past year she has lost like 70 lbs I'm very proud of her) and I have not been obese but I always thought I was, even when I looked like i do in my profile pic. I think her constant dieting/binging/putting herself down rubbed off on me more than any genetic thing.

I think when a parent is extreme about anything the kid will either follow into that or run in the opposite direction.

notmac

Wow! I work in health care, with Women and Children's health, so I see overweight women having babies, the biggest risk with this may be gestational diabetes. Not every over weight woman ends up with gestational diabetes, and not each gestational diabetic is overweight. Many women make much much worse decisions during pregnancy, think drugs, and alcohol, now that is selfish.

The_New_Christina

I hate this comment (Fat mom=Fat kid). I was TOLD by my SIL that my daughter would be chubby because I am overweight! NOT TRUE!! My son (for example) is as skinny as a rail, tall and thin. 5 Years old and wears 3T-4T clothing. I was not born overweight, it happened during pregnancies. I have 3 kids and love them to death. Wouldn't change a thing. (got pregnant while already overweight). Ignorant people are the ones who shouldn't have kids, not overweight women!

Jorra

For real?! @_@ Are you sure this is not a troll post?!

I'm curious, what is your definition of trolling.

I can believe this research. Genes can be influenced heavily by the environment in which they are expressed.

VelociMama

It's a really interesting article. I wouldn't think that a genetic change would be so evident in a short amount of time (within a few years of the mother losing weight).

My question about the results is whether or not the dietary habits of the first children born when the mother was very obese are different than those of the children born with the mother was no longer obese. I can see how a mom wouldn't necessarily teach the first child about nutrition the way she would the second after her weight-loss.

I still firmly believe that a lot of the reason why obese parents often have obese children is poor home environment (lack of activity and good nutrition). There may be a genetic component, as described in the article, but to me the real question is whether or not that genetic component overrides the environmental issues.

TrailRunner61

I was very thin while raising my kids. In fact, I only weighed 125-126lbs when 9 mths pregnant with them. One is heavy, the other two are thin. I think that food habits may have something to do with it. When I lived at home with my parents/siblings, all mom made was fried meat. Fried pork chops, fried chicken, gravies on top of everything. My siblings all ended up obese (as in one even had bypass surgery), all are diabetic and none of them exercise, at all. I ate that crap at home but I ate less than they did, I'm not sure why. Maybe I just wasn't as hungry? I was the only one who was on my bike, riding to the lake, running through the woods and climbing trees. I guess being a tomboy kept me from getting fat then.

Later in life as I got lazier and depressed, I gained weight.. up to 179lbs. Now I'm at a normal weight and my daughter is using MFP too and she looks awesome and is quickly reaching her goals. She has always been beautiful and she also has depression issues. My other daughter had a baby and has used MFP also with awesome results.

I raised my kids to be outside and to know how to have fun without money because you don't know what kind of life they will end up having.
I took them to every park I could find, played in the rain, played in the leaves, playgrounds, trails, we walked from the end of every parking lot (a habit that we ALL still do), we all got some sort of exercise, kept the kids active and made sure that when we had family gatherings, we are always outside doing something instead of just sitting around stuffing our faces. They all love to camp, hike, fish, play in the snow, etc. Now they, and we, are doing the same with our grandkids.
My sisters, who are both obese, raised fat kids. They are all fat, their kids and grandkids are all fat. They still don't exercise and their kids, grandkids don't exercise. They sit around, eat fast food daily and play on their computers/video games all day. I feel sorry for all of them.

IMO, all you can do is give them healthy choices, try to keep them active and do your best. In the end, just like any other life lesson, they will have to make their OWN choices and live with them. Parents and kids come in all sizes. No situation is the same.

rml_16

Interesting.

But my mom has been overweight pretty much her entire life (including when I was born) and I have an excellent cardio vascular system and didn't have a weight problem (which was slight, really) until my late 20s.

kjjm08

i personally don't think any woman more than 40 pounds overweight has any business being pregnant in the first place. it's selfish and irresponsible.

young women, if you want to have children someday take care of your body now and get in shape.

Interesting. I have seen skinny women get pregnant and they eat/drink like crap the entire pregnancy but it's ok right? I mean, because they aren't overweight to begin with? Many overweight women who do indeed get pregnant, also take care of their diet, and get plenty of exercise while pregnant. Just an FYI.

Tebbspcad

I think there is a genetic link - my brother (and his wife) are on the large size and his 3 kids are all big as well - they are not obese yet but they will be - I think they keep McDonalds in business as they are there nearly every day! His 5 year old is nearly the same weight as my 9 year old, but all my kids are super skinny (they take after their dad!) so maybe it's not a good comparision.

I often see larger parents with larger kids at the primary school my kids go to so it's not unreasonable to think if the parents eat the wrong foods to excess then the kids will do as well!

GaiaGirl1992

My mother is half my weight, I outweighed her by 15....i call bull.

bcattoes

I still firmly believe that a lot of the reason why obese parents often have obese children is poor home environment (lack of activity and good nutrition). There may be a genetic component, as described in the article, but to me the real question is whether or not that genetic component overrides the environmental issues.

I think except in rare cases, it's pretty obvious that environmental and personal choice are the biggest factors. Genetics may make it easier to gain and/or harder to lose weight, but it rarely prevents it.

But I thought the article was interesting in the suggestion that mothers may be able to exercise at least some control over the genetics piece for their children.

bcattoes

My mother is half my weight, I outweighed her by 15....i call bull.

Bull?? What do you mean? You think the blood results in the study were wrong because your mom is half your size?? What am I missing? I don't see how those things relate.

Meatsies

Mine are both healthy and fit. What will keep them that way is what i am doing now.

I don't know if you read the article or not, but the fact that your children are currently fit is not the point. The study was on the genes of the children. Specifically on the difference in the genetics of siblings born to the same parent but one (or more) born when the mother was obese and the other(s) born after she lost weight.

What matters to me is that they are not now and I make sure that as long as I care for them they don't become.

I adore you. Smooches. Big, sloppy internet smooches coming your way.

UnoDrea3732

i personally don't think any woman more than 40 pounds overweight has any business being pregnant in the first place. it's selfish and irresponsible.

young women, if you want to have children someday take care of your body now and get in shape.

:noway:

So now I am selfish and irresponsible because I had a child when I was overweight? I personally think that no matter what weight you are when you have a child it does not mean that your child will be overweight. I do agree that if you are not set in the right mind of healthy eating that you could possibly be feeding your baby unhealthy food and that could possibly lead to an overweight child.

My mom was overweight when she had me, I was a skinny little kid then I became chunky after my parents divorced (I was 9). I was always fed healthy food and our Dad NEVER let us eat out. When I started getting $ from my Dad, I would eat out all the time and that's when the weight issues began.

BTW - I was 130lbs overweight when I had my 7lb 14oz girl and I am STILL around 60lbs overweight. She is 3yrs old, in the 50% in height/weight, LOVES vegetables and fruit, and her favorite snack is cottage cheese. I DO let her have mac&cheese, cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, french fries, or turkey hotdogs at least once a week. As we all know, moderation is the key.

VelociMama

But I thought the article was interesting in the suggestion that mothers may be able to exercise at least some control over the genetics piece for their children.

I agree. I lost 40 lbs before I got pregnant. Was still overweight, but no longer obese, and I'm hoping this will improve my son's odds of being healthy as well.

Thanks for sharing.

stephdeeable

Every single person on my mothers side of the family (and about 75% on my fathers side) are overweight, most of us are obese. If you see a thin person at a family event, they're related by marriage, haha.

I don't think it's genes though, mostly the family tradition of deep frying everything and then pouring gravy on it.

prov31jd

i personally don't think any woman more than 40 pounds overweight has any business being pregnant in the first place. it's selfish and irresponsible.

young women, if you want to have children someday take care of your body now and get in shape.

Careful . . . your 'nasty' is showing. . .

. . . and your 'ignorance' . . . and your 'high and mighty' . . . such unattractive characteristics -- maybe put a paper bag on 'em?

JaceyMarieS

i personally don't think any woman more than 40 pounds overweight has any business being pregnant in the first place. it's selfish and irresponsible.

young women, if you want to have children someday take care of your body now and get in shape.

Really? Perhaps we should also prevent pregnancy for anyone with a genetic condition, or an affinity for tattoos, or perhaps for religious or political reasons. Yes that would work, NOT!!!!!!!

Changed my mind...I'm not even going to feed into this, it's so ridiculous

nashai01

bumping to read later

VelociMama

Every single person on my mothers side of the family (and about 75% on my fathers side) are overweight, most of us are obese. If you see a thin person at a family event, they're related by marriage, haha.

I don't think it's genes though, mostly the family tradition of deep frying everything and then pouring gravy on it.

My mom's family is like that. They love to eat!

My dad's family are all bony skinny smokers.

I"m hoping to find a balance (sans smoking of course)...

missceevee1972

I know this is your personal opinion, but on a site like this- for weight loss and to get in shape, we should be here encouraging each other, not tearing eachother down. I know, we all don't live in a perfect world, but your statement was ignorant based on the fact that until you are in someone's shoes, you shouldn't judge. I have been overweight my entire life, and like many people have lost and gained time and again. I never thought I could get pregnant due to fertility issues I assumed were based on my weight. 2 years ago, very unexpectedly, I was blessed to find out I was pregnant and I had a very healthy baby boy last year. I worry of his future with his health and do not want him to be overweight. I feel genetically we have a 50/50 shot as his dad is thin as is his family, while I am overweight and I come from a long line of heavy people. I plan on feeding him healthy choices and I too hope to improve my habits in the process. Believe it or not, fat people have feelings too and we are not bad parents just because we might not look like you do. Think about it, you offended me, and I am sure, many others out here.

missceevee1972

Meant to tag this in reply to the earlier comment about being irresponsible having kids when I am overweight.

sjohnny

Mine are both healthy and fit. What will keep them that way is what i am doing now.

I don't know if you read the article or not, but the fact that your children are currently fit is not the point. The study was on the genes of the children. Specifically on the difference in the genetics of siblings born to the same parent but one (or more) born when the mother was obese and the other(s) born after she lost weight.

I'm going to have weightloss surgery so I can change my genes too. If I have eye surgery too then will my children not have genetic eye problems?

Becoming_A_Butterfly

While an overweight mother doesn't necessarily or automatically mean her child will be overweight later in life, this article is just one more reason I want to be at a healthy weight before I even think about getting pregnant. I also want to be certain I have learned positive and healthy habits so the environmental aspect is covered as well!

GINAvsGINA

Mine are both healthy and fit. What will keep them that way is what i am doing now.

^^^^^^This..... My oldest is 16 and she is very healthy and fit. Even before I even thought about losing weight I was teaching her healthy habits. My baby girl is 3 and she works out with me all the time may it be walking or strength training. She has her own set of 2lb and 3lb dumb bells. LOL You can end the cycle of obesity by teaching your children the right ways to take care of themselves.

rml_16

Have you seen Honey Boo Boo? ... Nuff said...

Yeah but those kids are overweight because the mother is always feeding her kids spaghetti with butter and ketchup. Thats not really the healthiest.

As the descendant of a chef who was born in Italy and immigrated to the US, I find the idea of pasta with ketchup a personal slight. This is a death penalty case! :-)

shae68143

My mother was super skinny with both of my sisters (one is now overweight, the other anorexic (but if she ate she'd be overweight too)) - and they grew up for the most part chunky, and mom was moderately sized with me and I am obese and have always been a heavy child. It is not just genetics, however yes they can play a part.

I believe that lifestyle can trump and even activate certain genes, but your lifestyle and personal food choices are more responsible for how you end up than anything. It's a choice every time you put that food in your mouth (or your childrens' mouths). You know if it's not healthy or good for you before it even makes it to your plate, let alone your mouth. If you feed your children bad things, they will get heavy, fat, obese etc. If you don't and teach them healthy choices, guess what, they will most likely thank you for that when in adult hood they are healthy (regardless of size) and making great choices.

And to Kelseyhere - I hope you haven't reproduced and if you have I pity your daughter. Heaven forbid she ever becomes overweight, you'll never have grandchildren with the ugly mentality you displayed here today.

rml_16

Oh, and also, I was 110 pounds when I got pregnant. I was 102 pounds into my sixth month due to extreme morning sickness and a high metabolism. I delivered at 155 pounds and was 120 within four months.

My daughter has been struggling with her weight since she was about 10 years old.

vtmoon

i personally don't think any woman more than 40 pounds overweight has any business being pregnant in the first place. it's selfish and irresponsible.

young women, if you want to have children someday take care of your body now and get in shape.

The awesome things we say when we are young :-)