Can Obesity Raise Autism Risk?

The autism rate in the U.S. has risen from 1 in 110 to 1 in88 over the last few years. This disorder can run from mildly impaired social connection, repetitive behavior to virtual isolation from the world. While cures & causes remain elusive, research points to a contributing factor: Obesity.

Researchers found that obese mothers were more than 60% more likely to have a child with autism, & over 2 times as likely to have children with developmental disorders, especially with speech. The study emphasizes autistic risk may stem from many factors, including older parental age, malnutrition & premature births. But what affects the mother’s body affects the sensitive, developing fetal brain, and the metabolic impact of obesity includes increased inflammation, blood pressure, blood sugar & hormonal variations.

The autism/obesity link is the latest in research showing that healthier more fit pregnancies benefit mother as well as the child. Being overweight or obese, increases the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, congenital malformations & miscarriage. Eating more produce will not only help with pregnancy weight management, but might, also, lower a woman’s chances of giving birth to a child with leukemia. And according to research from a North Carolina Research Campus, a maternal diet high in choline may increase memory & mental function in offspring over a lifetime.