A new study has cautioned that magnetic fields that pregnant women are exposed to, could contribute to childhood obesity. Another study conducted on mice has found that stress during pregnancy could impact the fetus; making a child more prone to disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome.
These studies add to our growing understanding of how in utero atmospheres and maternal behaviors impact the health and wellbeing of children.
How magnetic fields can contribute to child obesity
A study conducted in the Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region exposure of pregnant women to magnetic fields was measured by use of a meter.  It was seen that women who were exposed to the most magnetic fields had kids with an increased risk of being overweight or obese.
Increased exposure of pregnant women to magnetic fields in the past few decades is being offered as one of the possible explanations for the rise in childhood obesity.
Researchers have said that devices such as microwave ovens and some wireless devices create electromagnetic fields that could be responsible. It is now being understood how the exposure could impact development of a fetus.
These fields could impact multiple organs, hormone receptors, endocrine systems as well as its metabolic systems and thus have long term physiological impacts. The effects of these systems could be more acute because they tend to be amplified during the time of fetal development.
It is possible that common houseful appliances such as laptops and routers, washing machines and hair dryer could emit the kind of electromagnetic fields that cause problems.
Effect of stress on child obesity
A new study examined how maternal stress could impact the health of a child. The study was conducted on pregnant mice, but could have some relevance for humans as well.
When pregnant mice were subjected to psychological and metabolic stress, this was seen to impact the possibility of the babies turning out obese, developing type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. Stress has long been linked with abdominal fat deposits and now we also known how else stress can affect pregnant women and their future offspring.
So if you’ve been told to keep your stress levels in control now that you’re pregnant, here is another reason for doing so. Try to keep your stress levels in control by taking on less work for a while. Find more time to relax and learn relaxation techniques. Prioritize sleep and get at least 8 hours at night and a short afternoon nap if possible.
