Gestational Diabetes Can Lead to Obesity in Children

Here’s more evidence that an expectant woman’s hormonal status has a life-long effect on her developing child. Through a process known as hormonal imprinting, the hormones that a fetus is exposed to in the womb can set what’s “normal” for him for the rest of his life. This latest study looked at the lasting impact of gestational diabetes—having high blood sugar during pregnancy—on a baby, and found that the disorder raises the child’s risk of obesity.

Researchers in the study examined the records of nearly 10,000 pregnant women and their children up until age 7. They found that the higher a woman’s blood sugar during pregnancy, the more likely her child became obese during those early years of life. The researchers also found that effectively identifying and treating gestational diabetes reduced the future risk to the child. The bottom line is that there is a direct connection between what you eat, particularly if you overindulge, and your baby’s future life and health. Avoiding too much weight gain, and choosing healthy whole grains, vegetables and fruits over processed starches and sweets can keep your blood sugar at healthy levels. It’s also important to avoid skipping meals. Instead, consume your meals and snacks at regular times throughout the day and before bedtime as recommended. Any steps you can take to improve your health will have a lasting impact upon your child.

Non-stick Pans Lower Newborn's Weight

Non-stick chemical surfaces are in the news again; this time for their impact upon infant birth weight. The same coatings that save us minutes of cleanup time in the kitchen can reduce the weight of your baby according to a recent study that tested the blood from 1,400 pregnant women in Denmark and then tracked the outcome of their birth. Although the effect was small, these are the same chemicals—perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA)—that have already been clearly linked to cancer and developmental problems in animals tested. In fact, they have been shown to kill pet birds exposed through routine exposure in people’s homes.

A more detailed analysis of birth outcome and exposure to PFOS and PFOA was recently performed at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Not only did they find a reduction in birth weight, but there was also a reduction of the head circumference in the babies exposed, suggesting an impact upon brain development. The news regarding these chemicals has already convinced the EPA to persuade eight manufacturers of these BioMutagens to voluntarily phase out production by 2015. I suggest that you begin taking simple steps to protect yourself, your baby and the rest of your family now. Here’s how:
• Don’t preheat nonstick pans—temperatures high enough (600 degrees) to release these chemicals can be produced in two to five minutes. Cooking at temperatures below 400 degrees seems to be safe.
• Discard old cookware with flaking surfaces—The Green Guide suggests replacing frequently used nonstick cookware every two years, about the time they begin to degrade even if there’s no evidence of wear.
• Plan your next set of cookware—purchasing cast iron, enameled cast iron or stainless steel will provide more durable and safe cooking surfaces as well as an eco-friendly solution to this problem.
• Keep pet birds out of the kitchen—they are extremely sensitive to these chemicals and can be killed by even a single exposure to these compounds which can easily occur by becoming distracted and overheating a pan.

Breastfeeding Prevents Overfeeding in Newborns

Researchers have just identified one more reason why breast feeding is better than formula. While all babies lose weight during the first few days after birth, a new study published in the Journal of Human Lactation found that exclusively formula-fed newborns lost substantially less weight than breast-fed babies. On the surface, this would seem like a drawback of nursing. In fact, researchers suggest that newborn weight loss is a normal form of self-regulation of infants, and providing formula overrides it, possibly setting up infants for weight gain and obesity later in life.

Newborns mostly lose water weight and meconium as well as a small amount of fat, in the first few days as they learn to regulate their own body temperature. Additionally, the breast milk that they are typically sipping on in the first few days after birth is colostrum, a yellowish, nutrient-dense, but low-calorie substance that new moms produce before their milk comes in. Newborns typically lose 5 to 7 percent of their birth weight in the first week.

If your newborn is in this healthy weight loss range, and the nurses or doctors recommend supplementing with formula to boost your baby’s weight, discuss your concerns about overfeeding. Just like when you’re mother insisted that you “clear your plate,” we’re just now learning that eating more than you need isn’t always a good thing!

Other benefits of breast feeding include:
For the baby:
Lower risk of infections
Lower risk of food allergies and asthma
Higher IQ
Lower risk of obesity and diabetes

For the mom:
Reduced postpartum bleeding
Stress relief
Lower risk of depression
Stronger bones
Greater weight loss

Pregnant Women: Beware Bisphenol A (despite "experts panel's" reassurance)

Once again a panel convened by the government to investigate possible health risks offered reassurance where independent scientists found only concern. The National Toxicology Program (NTP), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, put together a 12 member panel, whose members included scientists tied to plastics manufacturing to investigate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA)—a chemical used in the manufacturing process of plastics. It is estimated that over 6 billion pounds of this hormone-disrupting chemical have already been produced often for use in food packaging. The panel took a reassuring stance, finding that bisphenol A poses minimal risk. The panel’s report did, however, acknowledge “some concern” that prenatal exposure to bisphenol A causes changes in the brain that can create abnormalities in infants and children. By contrast, non-governmental scientists and those not tied directly to plastics manufacturers consistently publish studies and opinions warning about the effects of the BioMutagen.

The Environmental Working Group , comprised of independent scientists, engineers and attorneys, has been warning of the effects of bisphenol A for years, citing nearly 150 research studies that demonstrate links to birth defects, infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and prostate and breast cancers. The EWR hired a panel of nine independent experts to analyze last week’s NTP report. Their findings: The NTP report “contains 300 potential errors, 195 incomplete reviews and 48 basic inconsistencies.” In addition, last week the National Institute of Health enlisted an international panel of 38 experts on bisphenol A, which concluded that the chemical presents a clear health risk to people, especially pregnant women. I recommend that you err on the side of caution.

Rather than accept a false sense of security from the recent NTP report, consider taking steps to reduce exposure for you and your developing baby. Begin with the following:
• Don’t heat foods in plastic containers (heating, especially in a microwave oven, increases the release of BPA into your food).
• Stop putting plastics into the dishwasher (harsh detergents increase the release of BPA).
• Only use glass baby bottles.
• Throw out any plastic bottles, cups, or containers that have hairline cracks or are more than a year old.
• Tell manufacturers of products that you purchase for consumption to stop using the plastics that contain the highest amounts of BPA (#3, 6 & 7) by reviewing this chart.