Jordan News

Scientists from the University of California decided to test how maternal obesity affects the risk of autism and developmental disabilities in children. They shared their findings in the Journal of Obesity.

Scientists assessed the mothers’ BMI before pregnancy and divided it into five categories, ranging from underweight to obese.

To assess the association with autism, data from 1,100 people were used. Scientists found that maternal obesity increases the risk of autism in children by 1.87 times, and developmental disabilities by 1.14 times. The risks were higher among male children.

Scientists stress that the new data will help implement early interventions in high-risk groups.