Children of obese mothers have a greater risk of developing liver disease in their 20s, according to researchers who say policymakers need to do more to address the promotion of dangerous foods and beverages.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be caused by being overweight. If it progresses it can lead to serious health problems such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, while high levels of fat in the liver are also associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The researchers, whose results will be presented at the 2021 International Liver Congress organized by the European Society for the Study of the Liver, looked at liver scans of 2,961 British-born participants who were enrolled in a study called "Children of the '90s" ”.
After taking into account factors such as maternal age, gestational smoking, and social class, the team found that obesity in pre-pregnancy mothers was associated with a three times higher risk of their children having fatty liver by age 24 .
The team also found an increased risk associated with obese fathers, but this link was smaller than in mothers.
"We are not blaming mothers for this," said Dr. Kushala Abeysekera, of the University of Bristol. disease.
"There is no easy solution to this," Abeysekera added. But he said much could be done, such as reducing special offers for unhealthy foods.
Source: Guardian
