Greek researchers recently found that women who consumed more than the recommended amounts of fish throughout pregnancy had children who were at a greater risk (14%) of being obese or overweight by the time they reached age 4. Additionally, they were 22% more likely to have gained excess weight before the age of 6 when compared to the children of women who only consumed moderate amounts of fish.
These findings were published in JAMA Pediatrics and was based on data from 15 previous studies, where more than 26,000 pregnant women and their children were studied.
Researchers believe that the possible contaminants in fish could contribute to childhood weight gain. Additionally, eating more fish during pregnancy may simply be a sign of a women who gains more weight throughout pregnancy. The increase in weight gain also predisposes their children to being overweight.
These findings were published in JAMA Pediatrics on February 15, 2016.