Poor Sleep Quality During Late Pregnancy Linked to Higher Childhood Obesity Risk

Recent research reveals that mothers experiencing poor sleep quality during late pregnancy give birth to babies with lower birth weight initially, but these infants tend to gain weight rapidly and weigh more by ages 1-2 years, increasing obesity risk. The effect was particularly pronounced in male infants and those born at full term. This finding suggests that maternal sleep disruption during pregnancy may alter metabolic programming in the fetus, affecting long-term weight trajectories. Understanding this connection could help healthcare providers identify at-risk infants early and implement preventive interventions during pregnancy to optimize maternal sleep quality.