From vaccines to toxins in the environment, the cause of autism has been the subject of research for years, especially in recent times as rates have drastically risen and one in every 88 children is now said to have some form of the disease. Increasingly, however, research is pointing to what happens during a woman's pregnancy as a potential primary cause.
A new study released this weekend found a strong link between obesity in early pregnancy and autism. In fact, researchers found obese women were 67 percent more likely to have a child with autism than those who weren't obese. Their children were also found to have double the risk for other developmental delays. That's a major difference, but with rising rates of obesity and autism in this country, it also makes sense.
The study, which involved about 1,000 children, isn't conclusive by any means, but it certainly adds to the existing research that shows a link between obesity in women and other risks for their babies, such as stillbirth and pre-term births. Why the link? Scientists aren't sure, but they believe it could have something to do with inflammatory proteins in the fat cells of an obese mother.
Researcher Paula Krakowiak told MSNBC:
These same proteins are involved in the normal development of the brain. When the level of those immunological markers is higher or lower than the normal range it might affect how the brain develops in an adverse way. And at least one type has been shown to be able to cross over the placenta to the fetus.
When they’re growing at a faster rate, they require more oxygen and if the mom doesn’t provide enough oxygen then that could also cause some problems with brain development.
While I can only imagine the guilt overweight parents of autistic children may feel when reading this news, it's also filled with hope because if these findings are indeed accurate, then that means there may potentially be a way to prevent autism in some cases. Of course, obesity isn't the only cause as we all know plenty of thin people with autistic children, but it is an interesting link for sure and yet another reason women should do everything they can to maintain a healthy weight before getting pregnant. Wouldn't it be amazing if, as a nation, we could really diet our way to a decrease in autism?
Are you surprised to learn about this link between obesity and autism?
Image via one tiny spark/Flickr
Ashley Is a Widow Who Stays Strong...
This Hot Dad Wants to Vacuum Your Rug
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
Comments 22
i'm not surprised about the link between brain development and oxygen. i think "purple pushing" has so much to do with this now, too. both times i had my children in a hospital they told me several times to hold my breath while THEY counted. no, i don't think so...i will push until MY BODY tells me to stop and take a breath not until you tell me it's time to take a breath. you are taking precious oxygen away from your body, brain, and baby while doing that. it's not safe. it's like holding your breath while you go running, like that is going to work out for you.
Great. As a large woman, I already face discrimination and ugly looks daily (although I do maintain my appearance and dress professionally.... and work out and watch my intake to be my healthiest)... I was already dreading becoming pregnant while "obese" as it is - since ya know, obese women *are* treated differently (I want to be treated like any other pregnant woman and not looked at as an obese woman complicated by pregnancy)... and this is going to make it even worse.
Obesity is one of the last ways that people can be legally discriminated against and ARE bullied on a regular basis. People will ignore that this study only shows a correlation and not causation; and use it as further basis to treat us as less than human and to take away our dignity.
Interestingly enough, all the women I know who have autistic children are average or skinny.
Last week, it was the "fault" of older fathers.A year before that, it was vaccinations. How about they stop advertising every little study and keep their mouths shut until they find something conclusive and substative? Something that actually has proof, instead of saying this "might" cause it or that "might" be involved? All this is doing is trashing some people and giving false hope to others.
All the government is doing now is blaming the Mothers for everything. Don't you think the parents have enough to worry about, taking care and dealing with this. Stop the blaming and figure out how to fix it!!! This week its wight, last week it was older fathers, next week it will be something else. Stop wasting the money on why and spent it on a cure!