Expectant mothers should watch their weight, as according to Science Daily, excessive weight gain during pregnancy may increase the risk of juvenile obesity in their child.

A team of experts led by David S. Ludwig of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital compared the weight of 41,133 pregnant women and their children who were, on average, 11.9 years old.

Dr. Ludwig’s team found that kids whose mothers were obese during pregnancy had a higher risk of becoming two to three pounds heavier throughout their childhood.

“Excessive pregnancy weight gain may make a significant contribution to the obesity epidemic,” Dr. Ludwig says. “Children born to women who gained excessive amounts of weight–40 lbs. or more–during pregnancy had an 8 percent increased risk of obesity.”

In order to avoid this, expectant mothers can consult their doctors on how to manage their diet and get enough exercise.

(Photo by Stephanie Lukas via Flickr Creative Commons)