A recent study published in the BMJ revealed that a mother’s use of ultra-processed foods was connected to an elevated risk of being overweight or obese in her kids, regardless of other lifestyle risk factors. According to the World Health Organization, 39 million children were overweight or obese in 2020, leading to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and early death.

The study suggested that mothers may benefit from limiting their intake of ultra-processed foods. The researchers also suggested that the dietary guidelines should be refined, including the removal of financial and social barriers to improve nutrition for women of childbearing age and to reduce childhood obesity. In the study, the researchers used data from the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS II) and the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS I and II).

The researchers also considered a range of other potentially influential factors, such as the mother’s weight (BMI), physical activity, smoking, living status, and partner’s education, as well as children’s ultra-processed food consumption, physical activity, and sedentary time.

Based on the analysis, the study results showed that a mother’s ultra-processed food consumption was associated with an increased risk of obesity or being overweight in her offspring. For example, a 26% higher risk was seen in the group with the highest maternal ultra-processed food consumption (12.1 servings/day) in comparison to the lowest consumption group (3.4 servings/day). It also found that prenatal ultra-processed food intake had no significant association with an increased risk of offspring being overweight or obese.