- depression during pregnancy
- more rapid weight gain during first 6 months of life
- introduction to solid foods before 4 months
- more restrictive feeding practices
- television sets in a toddler's room after 2
There are other risk factors during and even before pregnancy that increases a baby's risk of being overweight:
- Being underweight or overweight before pregnancy
- Not gaining enough weight--or gaining too much weight during pregnancy
- Having gestational diabetes--or abnormal blood glucose levels during pregnancy
I believe that to really halt childhood obesity, we need to start before pregnancy--and at the very least early pregnancy. Women often don't see their health care provider right when they learn they are pregnant. This is a missed opportunity for education about health habits and weight gain, that could help a mom have a healthier pregnancy and a smaller chance of a newborn who will grow up to be overweight.
