A quarterly publication of the Autism Research Institute
Fall, 2024 | Number 4, Volume 38
Mothers who are overweight or obese before or during pregnancy may have an elevated likelihood of having a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other behavioral condition, according to research from Australia.
Bereket Duko and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of 42 epidemiological studies involving more than 3.6 million mother child pairs. The researchers found that maternal obesity prior to conception was linked to an increased likelihood of a child being diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, conduct disorder, or psychotic disorder, as well as to increases in externalizing behaviors (for instance, tantrums and aggression) and peer relationship problems. Similar outcomes were seen for children of mothers who were overweight prior to conception, as well as for children of mothers who were over weight or obese during pregnancy.
The researchers comment, “Some of the plausible potential mechanisms linking neuropsychiatric and behavioral outcomes in offspring of preconception or pregnancy overweight or obese mothers include chronic low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, dysregulated fatty acid metabolism, and hormonal imbalances, which can affect the intrauterine environment and disrupt fetal brain development.” They note, however, that the strength of the associations between maternal weight and childhood neurobehavioral problems was reduced in studies that adjusted for maternal mental health conditions, suggesting that these may partly explain some of the association.
Duko comments, “Given the rising global obesity rates among women of reproductive age, and the growing numbers of children identified with neurodiverse conditions, it’s important that we acknowledge the potential long-term consequences of maternal adiposity on child mental health.” He adds, “While further research is needed to explore the biological mechanisms underlying these associations, the findings do stress the need for health interventions that promote healthy living and weight among parents-to-be.”
“Associations between maternal preconception and pregnancy adiposity and neuropsychiatric and behavioral outcomes in the offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” Bereket Duko, Tesfaye S. Mengistu, David Stacey, Lisa J. Moran, Gizachew Tessema, Gavin Pereira, Asres Bedaso, Amanuel Tesfay Gebremedhin, Rosa Alati, Oyekoya T. Ayonrinde, Beben Benyamin, S. Hong Lee, and Elina Hyppönen, Psychiatry Research, August 2024 (free online). Address: Bereket Duko, Australian Centre for Precision
Health, Unit of Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia, [email protected].
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“Research suggests obesity in moms doubles the risk of autism in babies,” news release, University of South Australia, September 24, 2024.
