Childhood obesity risks ‘increased by mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy’

Mothers could be increasing their future offspring's risk of suffering from obesity by sitting in front of the TV during mealtimes while pregnant.

According to the Bellevue Hospital Center/NYU School of Medicine study, pregnant women who watched television while eating were more likely to sit in front of the TV while feeding their infant, a habit associated with poorer-quality diets.

Of those involved in the study, 71 percent of pregnant women reported at least some mealtime TV watching, with those who did shown to be five times more likely to expose their infants to TV during feeding. This made it more likely for them to pay less attention to whether their children were full.

This shows that mealtime TV viewing habits begin to take hold before a child is even born.

The study's lead author Dr Mary Jo Messito said: "Reduction of mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy could be an important component in early childhood obesity prevention programmes."

Last month, a study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine revealed that a mother's diet even before conception can have a permanent effect on the genetic makeup of her future offspring, underlining the importance of healthy eating for mothers.