By Katelynn Snyder
Further research must be conducted to fully come up with data to prove the link. There have been several reasons as to why children may have an increased body mass index. A few factors could be from diet, stress, smoking, or hormones while in the womb or early in childhood. Scientists have looked at epigenetics, which determine how genes are expressed or encoded in many proteins. The different types of genes that get turned on or off in the womb can show an increase in child obesity by the age of ten. Since obesity has been a growing issue around the world, scientists may be able to manipulate the signals once they learn more about epigenetics and how to control them.
I cannot personality relate to this issue but I work with children and witness firsthand the difficultly children have maintaining a healthy weight. The womb is a very important developmental place for a child to grow in and many environmental factors can cause problems with the child so the mother must be extremely careful when they expose themselves to certain things. It is scary to think that what a child was exposed to in the womb can affect them later in life as they have no control of what happens to them inside the womb. Obviously there are other factors which can lead to obesity but genes can play an important role, so if scientists are able to comprehend and manipulate epigenetics then there may be a chance we can get a step closer to solving this issue. I wonder how severe the factors must be to influence the child’s body mass index later in life. I also wonder how long it will take scientists be complete further research and learn more about epigentics? The body is such a complex structure which is compiled of many parts that all work together to keep up functioning, so pinpointing one tiny aspect must take a lot of time.
By: Laymah Cisco on March 31, 2012 at 11:44 am
Okay, this is something I take great interest in. I actually think newly pregnant women should be required to take pregnancy classes that would aid them in properly caring for the life inside them. I truly believe that staying stress-free, eating right, and being in the right environment does factor into a child’s development. After all, the child does take in everything the mother consumes.
By: Mary Vespa on April 3, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Diet, stress, smoking and hormones are definitely important contributors in weight management. It has also been argued that exposure while in the womb to any of these factors can contribute to well-being and personality later in life. For instance, one exposed to stress and anxiety in the womb may have a predisposition to anxiety in life. This article makes sense to me and agree with the proposed correlation.
By: Stephanie Roman on April 5, 2012 at 1:19 pm
It’s interesting to think that pregnant women have to also think about their child’s weight before they are even born. Usually when you think of bad things that a pregnant woman could do that would affect the baby’s health, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, etc we associate those things with forming mental disabilities or certain illnesses. But today, since obesity has become such an important issue in our society, it is important to think about preventing that for your child even when they are still in the womb. Many women, especially ones, who are pregnant for the first time may not realize something like this and it’s important that they know that there are so many factors and precautions that exist when you become pregnant and take on the responsibility of being a mother.
By: Aleah McWilliams on April 8, 2012 at 11:11 pm
This very interesting. Child obesity has been an ongoing debate and issue for some time now with more and more children are being overweight we have to look at the root issue. The womb where they come from and the first environment the child surrounds themselves with that effects them later in life. Women should know that during the time of pregnancy they should be mindful of what they put in their body and workout; stay in shape. Don’t let the excuse of being pregnancy cause you to eat whatever you want when you want. Some woman need to realize that whatever they consume the unborn baby does as well. There is a possibility of gaining too much weight and eating too much of the wrong stuff during pregnancy that can harm the unborn child while in the womb and even later in life.
By: Nicole Giacopelli on April 9, 2012 at 5:29 pm
I completely agree with this article. I believe that the very beginning of a persons life is the most crucial. There are so many things to do and not to do when pregnant that a mistake in the rules can lead to a sick or obese child. I truly believe that pregnant mothers should do everything they can to have a healthy child even if it means they have to miss out on something for 9 months.
By: Jillian Marinaro on April 10, 2012 at 9:28 pm
It is obviously important to keep the baby’s health in mind when pregnant. There are all these factors that can affect the weight and overall health and development of the child. I agree with this article and it’s stress on the importance of prenatal health.
By: Ashley Lippin on April 10, 2012 at 11:11 pm
There are many women who get pregnant who do not take care of their new born when they are in the womb. There are such great effects that could happen before the baby is out and many women do not seem to keep them in mind when pregnant.
Having a child is supposed to be a gift to the family and someone to treasure. Child obesity demonstrates that many mothers do not care for their children as they should. Exercise and eating healthy is so important and many new mothers are not able to do that. These factors could damage a child’s life in the long run and as a mother, the care for your child should become first.
By: Meghan Lentine on April 26, 2012 at 3:34 pm
This article is really interesting. It’s amazing to learn that a woman can affect her child’s weight before he or she is even born. In society, we know that alcohol, smoking and caffeine, along with deli meat, sushi and everything else is bad for an unborn child’s health, but who would have thought for their weight. We often think pregnant women can eat whatever they please, because of course they are eating for two, but maybe women are over indulging during these nine months. Maybe obesity is genetic, or maybe mother’s ate one too many ChocoTacos.
By: Beth Blackman on May 7, 2012 at 11:51 am
I find this to be very interesting. It is crazy to know that what a mother goes through during her pregnancy can have an affect on the child’s weight later in life. Aside from the obvious risks such as smoking, drugs, and alcohol, who would have thought that a mother could affect her child weight simply by eating. Although further testing is needed, this just goes to show that what happens in the womb can drastically affect a childs life outside of the womb.