Obesity Increases Risk of Having a Child with Autism

By Kai Colvin - Senior Medical Research Editor | May 1st, 2012

1:53. No—it’s not the time…nor am I going to quote scripture. It is, however, a ratio that is quite alarming.

On average, women face a 1 in 88 chance of conceiving a child with autism; when obesity is presented during pregnancy this ratio increases to a 1 in 53 chance.

Presently there is no distinct notorious cause of autism. While the cause of autism has been the subject of rigorous research for years, there remains limited knowledge.

Recently, researchers established a study linking women who are obese additionally suffer a greater risk for neurological disorders to the child they are carrying. Simply put, obesity during pregnancy may drastically increase the gripping risk for having a child with autism, incendiary new studies suggest.

Obesity can also contribute to diabetes, infertility, heart disease and stroke.

Autism is how you recount to the world when your brain progresses contrarily than other brains. Children with autism have brains that are emerging inversely from other children.

Autism is measured as a spectrum Disorder. There are no blood tests or genetic tests available – yet. This concludes that the analysis shelters an amass degree of each of the three key characteristics for autism: Social interaction, Communication, and Repetitive behaviors or restricted range of interest.

The latest study in Pediatrics found women who were obese throughout pregnancy were nearly 67 percent more probable than average weightiness women to have an autistic child.

Dr. Daniel Coury, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, profusely acknowledged that the results raise reasonably amassed concern.

“Since more than one-third of U.S. women of child-bearing age are obese, the results are potentially worrisome and add yet another incentive for maintaining a normal weight,” stated Paula Krakowiak, study co-author from the University of California.

The recent study immersed nearly 1,000 California children, ages 2 to 5. Nearly 700 were previously diagnosed with autism or another developmental delay; while 315 did not have any delays.

The mothers of each child were interviewed regarding their health status. Medical records were available to confirm their conditions.

Obesity, typically defined as 35 pounds overweight, is interconnected with inflammation and elevated levels of blood sugar. “Excess blood sugar and inflammation-related substances in a mother's blood may reach the fetus and damage the developing brain,” Krakowiak added.

This research should be perceived as extreme chaos to everyone around the globe. The research clearly suggests that women are ultimately responsible for the health of their child.

It’s almost redolent to think that any woman wouldn’t fairly hold herself responsible, and at times feel guilty for the health of her child.

So why is the alarming ratio significant to anyone reading this? Statistics show that the delinquent concern of obesity is becoming more serious each year.

It is delicately in the cards that the solution, while requiring individual motherly discipline and utter awareness, will require a far-reaching modification in the way our entire society views health, nutrition, exercise and accessibility to programs and individuals who focus on helping the obese or more significantly, the 1:53.

Understanding the disease may uncover all of the underlying factors of autism, but understanding the individual is just as imperative.

To learn more about autism, find a mental health doctor in your area.