HHS HealthBeat (October 9, 2007)

Too heavy before pregnancy

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Why babies are born with defects is still often unknown, but researchers say one clue may be found in a  woman’s weight.

The researchers interviewed mothers from eight states.  Kim Waller of the University of Texas School of Public Health says women who were obese before pregnancy had a higher risk of birth defects involving the brain, spinal cord, heart, limbs and other body parts.

Waller says obese women should ask their physician to check them for diabetes before they become pregnant.  She says diabetes, which is linked to obesity, raises the risk of birth defects.

“In addition, women should eat a healthy diet while trying to conceive and throughout pregnancy.’’ (6 seconds)

The study, in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 7, 2011