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Review
. 2017;10(4):396-406.
doi: 10.1159/000477407. Epub 2017 Aug 23.

Postnatal Prevention of Childhood Obesity in Offspring Prenatally Exposed to Gestational Diabetes mellitus: Where Are We Now?

Camille Dugas, Julie Perron, Michèle Kearney, Roxanne Mercier, André Tchernof, Isabelle Marc, S John Weisnagel, Julie Robitaille
Review

Postnatal Prevention of Childhood Obesity in Offspring Prenatally Exposed to Gestational Diabetes mellitus: Where Are We Now?

Camille Dugas et al. Obes Facts. 2017.

Abstract

Children exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in utero are at high risk of developing many health problems such as obesity. There is an urgent need to find new strategies to prevent obesity development among high-risk populations such as those children. Accordingly, the aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge on the postnatal prevention of childhood obesity in offspring born from mothers with GDM. Specifically, this review addresses the impact of breastfeeding, complementary feeding practices as well as dietary intake and physical activity during childhood on obesity risk of children exposed to GDM in utero. Furthermore, breast milk composition of diabetic mothers and its potential impact on growth is discussed. According to the available literature, breastfeeding may reduce obesity risk in children exposed to GDM in utero but a longer duration seems necessary to achieve its protective effect against obesity. Detailed analysis of breast milk composition of mothers with GDM will be necessary to fully understand the relationship between breastfeeding and obesity in this specific population. This review highlights the need for more studies addressing the impact of complementary feeding practices and lifestyle habits during childhood on obesity risk of children exposed to GDM in utero.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Childhood obesity; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Nutrition; Physical activity.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Impact of early nutrition and PA during infancy and childhood on obesity prevention in children exposed to GDM in utero. Postnatal factors taking place in infancy and childhood that could play a role in obesity prevention and discussed in this review are represented in small boxes. Yellow arrows indicate a lack of scientific evidence regarding the impact of those factors on obesity prevention in children exposed to GDM in utero. The green arrow indicates a potential beneficial association between breastfeeding and obesity prevention in children exposed to GDM in utero.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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