Objective Maternal iron needs increase 6-fold during pregnancy, but obesity interferes with iron absorption. We hypothesized that maternal obesity impairs fetal iron status. Study Design 316 newborns with risk factors for infantile iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were studied to examine obesity during pregnancy and neonatal iron status. Erythrocyte iron was assessed by cord blood hemoglobin (Hb), zinc protoporphyrin/heme (ZnPP/H) and reticulocyte-ZnPP/H and storage iron by serum ferritin. Results Women with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, as compared with non-obese women, delivered larger offspring with higher reticulocyte-ZnPP/H, and lower serum ferritin concentrations (p<0.05 for both). With increasing BMI, estimated body iron was relatively lower (mg/kg) and the ratio of total Hb-bound iron (mg)/total body iron (mg) increased. Maternal diabetes compromised infant iron status, but multivariate analysis demonstrated that obesity was an independent predictor. Conclusions Obesity during pregnancy and excessive weight gain are independent risk factors for iron deficiency in the newborn.

Both genetics and lifestyle contribute to type 2 diabetes (T2D), a condition of elevated circulating glucose induced by a collection of metabolic defects including peripheral insulin resistance, elevated hepatic glucose output, and impaired pancreatic insulin secretion. Because the prevalence of T2D and its modifiable risk factors (overweight/obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and physical inactivity) have been increasing in recent decades, there has been growing interest in lifestyle interventions that target T2D management and prevention. Although it is increasingly recognized that lifestyle interventions aimed at encouraging physical activity and reducing body weight can improve insulin sensitivity, nutritional contributions to T2D risk reduction are less clear. Evidence from prospective cohort and randomized controlled trials suggests that diets rich in refined dietary carbohydrate [particularly those with a high glycemic index (GI)] may elevate T2D risk; however, the appropriate combination of macronutrients to optimize metabolic health has not been fully described. To date, the collective evidence suggests that diets rich in low-GI carbohydrates, cereal fiber, resistant starch, fat from vegetable sources (unsaturated fat), and lean sources of protein should be emphasized, whereas refined sugars and grains (high-GI carbohydrates) are to be avoided in order to lower risk of T2D and its related risk factors and comorbidities.

Background Maternal anemia and several complications of pregnancy can affect fetal iron acquisition. Aim Because it is unknown whether the effects of demographic and maternal risk factors are summative, we examined cord iron status in newborns with multiple risk factors for acquiring iron deficiency (ID). Methods Cord blood indices from healthy control newborns with and without risk factors for newborn or infant ID were studied. Results Newborns with greater risk factors had poorer erythrocyte and storage iron status. Poorest status was seen if mothers with comorbid obesity and diabetes delivered large-for-gestation newborns. Findings highlight the importance of identifying risk factors.