P-250: Association of paternal obesity with nutritional status of offspring born to mothers with gestational diabetes
M Muradian, P Dualib, F Souza, M C Oliveira Abate, M Frasson, M Jordão, D Spallicci, S Dib, L Luna, R Mattar, B de Almeida PitittoAbstract
Introduction
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and maternal obesity are associated with obesity in offspring; however, the impact of paternal obesity on offspring metabolic health requires further investigation.
Objectives
To evaluate the association between obesity in offspring exposed to GDM in utero and pre-gestational maternal and paternal obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2).
Methods
This retrospective cohort included 148 children aged 2–14 years born to mothers with GDM. Data was collected during routine antenatal care, with offspring evaluated 2–14 years later. Excessive weight was defined according to WHO criteria: for children ≥5 years (n=88), BMI Z-score ≥+2=obesity and ≥+1 and <+2=overweight; for children <5 years (n=60), BMI Z-score >+3=obesity and ≥+1 and <+3=overweight. Offspring overweight/obesity was compared according to parental pre-gestational obesity.
Results
Prevalence of pre-gestational obesity was 49.3% in mothers and 25.7% in fathers. Among children aged 2–4 years, overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 20.0%; being 7.7% when neither parent had obesity, 20.0% when only the father had obesity, 16.7% when only the mother had obesity, and 54.5% when both parents were affected (p=0.013). Among children aged 5–14 years, overall prevalence of obesity was 33.0%; being 21.2%, 36.4%, 33.3%, and 63.6%, respectively (p=0.291). In logistic regression, parental obesity (both parents) was associated with offspring obesity (OR 6.5, 95%CI 2.0–21.1, p=0.002), adjusted for child sex, parental education, diet, and screen time.
Conclusions
There is a progressive increase in offspring overweight/obesity when one or both parents have pre-gestational obesity. Paternal obesity independently influences offspring overweight/obesity, highlighting its role as a modifiable risk factor to reduce cardiometabolic risk in offspring exposed to GDM.