The Effects of Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain on Offspring Anthropometric Outcomes

Rates of childhood overweight and obesity have increased over the past several decades. Numerous studies show that obesity during childhood is strongly associated with obesity in adolescence and adulthood, as well as the development of chronic conditions. Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) represent modifiable behavioral factors that may influence the development of offspring body composition later in life; however, there are relatively few studies that examine these associations, especially for GWG. We used data from a recent prospective, longitudinal pregnancy cohort, the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study (2001-2008), to examine the effects of prepregnancy BMI and GWG according to the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations on offspring anthropometric outcomes within the first 3 years of life. Using multivariable regression analysis we found that the relative body size of infants at 6 months differs by maternal exposure. While both prepregnancy BMI and GWG were positively associated with weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ), only GWG was associated with length-for-age z-scores (LAZ). Prepregnancy overweight/obesity and excessive GWG[greater than or equal to]200% of the IOM recommendations were associated with higher weight-for-length z-scores (WLZ). At 3 years, children of overweight/obese mothers had significantly higher BMI z-scores and increased risk of overweight and obesity ([greater than or equal to]85th percentile and [greater than or equal to]95th percentile, respectively). Children of mothers with excessive GWG also had significantly higher BMI z-scores but only GWG[greater than or equal to]200% of the IOM recommendations was associated with an increased risk of obesity. Results from longitudinal analysis between birth and 3 years were consistent with these findings and revealed higher rates of change in WAZ and WLZ associated with prepregnancy obesity and higher rates of change in WAZ and LAZ with GWG[greater than or equal to]200% of the IOM recommendations. Children of overweight/obese women and women with GWG[greater than or equal to]200% of the IOM recommendations had distinctly higher predicted mean values of WAZ and WLZ that persisted across the study period compared to women in the lower prepregnancy BMI and GWG categories, respectively. These findings suggest a need for intervention efforts that reach women during their reproductive years, prior to becoming pregnant, to decrease fetal exposure to maternal overweight/obesity and excessive GWG

Analysis of the Caloric and Macronutrient Content of Meal Options Offered to Children at Popular Restaurant Chains

Background: Previous research suggests that consumption of foods from restaurants is associated with poor dietary quality and adverse health outcomes. There are few studies that examine the nutrient content of children’s meal options offered at both sit-down and fast-food chain restaurants. The main objective was to describe the average energy and nutrient profiles of meal options on children’s menus at chain restaurants in the United States (US) and compare them to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Methods: The sample consisted of 13 sit-down and 16 fast-food restaurants ranked within the top 50 US restaurant chains in 2009 (meal nutrient content was accessed in 2010). There were 421 and 275 meal options listed on children’s menus from sit-down and fast-food restaurants, respectively. Descriptive statistics are presented for calories, fat, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and sodium. Results: In general, nutrient contents of children’s meal options at sit-down and fast-food restaurants were similar. Meal options accounted for large percentages of the recommended daily intakes of calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium and small percentages of the recommended daily intakes of fiber, carbohydrate, and protein for children. More than half of children’s meals at these restaurants exceeded recommendations for fat and saturated fat. Conclusions: Children’s meal options at sit-down and fast-food restaurant chains that complied with the US Dietary Guidelines were limited. The majority of the meal options had fat, saturated fat and sodium contents that exceed recommendations, while providing low amounts of fiber

Comparison of the nutrient content of children’s menu items at US restaurant chains, 2010–2014

Objective To determine changes in the nutritional content of children’s menu items at U.S. restaurant chains between 2010 and 2014. Methods The sample consisted of 13 sit down and 16 fast-food restaurant chains ranked within the top 50 US chains in 2009. Nutritional information was accessed in June-July 2010 and 2014. Descriptive statistics were calculated for nutrient content of main dishes and side dishes, as well as for those items that were added, removed, or unchanged during the study period. Results Nutrient content of main dishes did not change significantly between 2010 and 2014. Approximately one-third of main dishes at fast-food restaurant chains and half of main dishes at sit down restaurant chains exceeded the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended levels for sodium, fat, and saturated fat in 2014. Improvements in nutrient content were observed for side dishes. At sit down restaurant chains, added side dishes contained over 50 % less calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium, and were more likely to contain fruits/vegetables compared to removed sides (p \u3c 0.05 for all comparisons). Added side dishes at fast-food restaurant chains contained less saturated fat (p \u3c 0.05). Conclusions The majority of menu items, especially main dishes, available to children still contain high amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium. Efforts must be made by the restaurant industry and policy makers to improve the nutritional content of children’s menu items at restaurant chains to align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Additional efforts are necessary to help parents and children make informed choices when ordering at restaurant chains

An anthropometric model to estimate neonatal fat mass using air displacement plethysmography

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Current validated neonatal body composition methods are limited/impractical for use outside of a clinical setting because they are labor intensive, time consuming, and require expensive equipment. The purpose of this study was to develop an anthropometric model to estimate neonatal fat mass (kg) using an air displacement plethysmography (PEA POD^®Infant Body Composition System) as the criterion.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 128 healthy term infants, 60 females and 68 males, from a multiethnic cohort were included in the analyses. Gender, race/ethnicity, gestational age, age (in days), anthropometric measurements of weight, length, abdominal circumference, skin-fold thicknesses (triceps, biceps, sub scapular, and thigh), and body composition by PEA POD^®were collected within 1-3 days of birth. Backward stepwise linear regression was used to determine the model that best predicted neonatal fat mass.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The statistical model that best predicted neonatal fat mass (kg) was: -0.012 -0.064*gender + 0.024*day of measurement post-delivery -0.150*weight (kg) + 0.055*weight (kg)²+ 0.046*ethnicity + 0.020*sum of three skin-fold thicknesses (triceps, sub scapular, and thigh); R²= 0.81, MSE = 0.08 kg.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our anthropometric model explained 81% of the variance in neonatal fat mass. Future studies with a greater variety of neonatal anthropometric measurements may provide equations that explain more of the variance.</p

Dietary energy density but not glycemic load is associated with gestational weight gain

The majority of pregnant women are gaining outside of the recommended weight gain ranges. Excessive weight gains have been linked to pregnancy complications and long term maternal and child health outcomes

Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Risk of Hyperglycemia

To determine the association between moderate and vigorous physical activities (MVPA) during midpregnancy and the risk of hyperglycemia

Diet quality, diet-related factors and disability status among male adults of reproductive age in the USA

Abstract Objective: To examine diet quality and diet-related factors among male adults of reproductive age with and without disabilities. Design: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2013–2018. Setting: Disability was reported as serious difficulty hearing, seeing, concentrating, walking, dressing and/or running errands due to physical, mental or emotional conditions. Diet quality was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 and diet-related factors included self-rated diet healthfulness, food security and food assistance programmes. Multivariable linear regression estimated differences in HEI-2015 scores. Multivariable Poisson regression estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95 % CI for diet-related factors. Participants: In total, 3249 males, 18–44 years; of whom, 441 (13·4 %) reported having disabilities. Results: Compared with males without disabilities, those with disabilities had a 2·69-point (95 % CI: –4·18, –1·20) lower mean total HEI-2015 score and approximately one-third to half of a point lower HEI-2015 component scores for greens and beans, total protein foods, seafood and plant proteins, fatty acids and added sugars. Males with any disabilities were more likely to have low food security (aPR = 1·57; 95 % CI: 1·28, 2·92); household participation in food assistance programmes (aPR = 1·61; 95 % CI: 1·34, 1·93) and consume fast food meals during the previous week (1–3 meals: aPR = 1·11; 95 % CI: 1·01–1·21 and 4 or more meals: aPR = 1·18; 95 % CI: 1·01–1·38) compared with males with no disabilities. Conclusions: Factors affecting diet and other modifiable health behaviours among male adults of reproductive age with disabilities require further investigation. Health promotion strategies that are adaptive to diverse populations within the disability community are needed

Effects of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain on Infant Anthropometric Outcomes

To determine whether prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) influence infant postnatal growth

Exposures to phthalates and bisphenols in pregnancy and postpartum weight gain in a population-based longitudinal birth cohort

Background: Experimental evidence suggests that exposures to phthalates and bisphenols may interfere with processes related to glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and body weight. Few studies have considered the possible influence of chemical exposures during pregnancy on maternal weight gain or metabolic health outcomes postpartum. Objective: To examine the associations of early and mid-pregnancy bisphenol and phthalate urine concentrations with maternal weight gain 6 years postpartum. Methods: We analyzed urine samples for bisphenol, phthalate and creatinine concentrations from early and mid-pregnancy in 1192 women in a large, population-based birth cohort in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and examined postpartum weight gain using maternal anthropometrics before pregnancy and 6 years postpartum. We have used covariate-adjusted linear regressions to evaluate associations of early and mid-pregnancy bisphenols and phthalate metabolites with weight change. Mediator and interaction models have been used to assess the role of gestational weight gain and breastfeeding, respectively. Sensitivity analysis is performed among women without subsequent pregnancies. Results: Among all 1192 mothers included in the analysis, each log unit increase in the average bisphenol A and all assessed phthalate groupings were associated with increased maternal weight gain. As a proxy for phthalate exposure, each log unit increase in averaged phthalic acid was associated with 734 g weight gain (95% CI 273–1196 g) between pre-pregnancy and 6 years postpartum. Mediation by gestational weight gain was not present. Breastfeeding and ethnicity did not modify the effects. Stratification revealed these associations to be strongest among overweight and obese women. Among women without subsequent pregnancies (n = 373) associations of bisphenols, HMW phthalate metabolites and di-2-ethylhexylphthalate metabolites attenuated. For phthalic acid, LMW phthalate metabolites and di-n-octylphthalate metabolites associations increased. Similarly to the whole group, stratification yielded significant results among overweight and obese women. Discussion: In a large population-based birth cohort, early and mid-pregnancy phthalate exposures are associated with weight gain 6 years postpartum, particularly among overweight and obese women. These data support ongoing action to replace phthalates with safer alternatives