Babies Born to Obese Mothers More Likely to Develop Cancer

Children born to obese mothers have a higher possibility of developing cancer by 57%, according to a new research.

The research team believes that disruptions of insulin levels at crucial points in the fetus's development could trigger hazardous cell modifications leading to disease in the future.

They analyzed more than 2 million births and 3,000 cancer cases and browsed the birth and cancer registry records filed between 2003 and 2016 in the state of Pennsylvania, USA, and discovered that children born to obese mothers- who had body mass Index (BMI) above 40 - have a higher possibility of developing leukemia before the age of five.

"Right now there aren't many known preventable risk factors for childhood cancer," lead author Dr. Shaina Stacy, an epidemiologist at the University of Pittsburgh said.

The epidemiologist stated that it is not their intention to shame women or make them feel guilty but instead, hope these findings point to one more reason for weight loss.

The findings were published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.