’Eat for two’ diabetes risk

PREGNANT women who believe the myth of ‘eating for two’ put their children at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, a study shows.

Nearly half of mothers-tobe put on too much weight, recent research shows.

Now a survey of 900 women has found a link to children who developed insulin resistance – a key precursor of diabetes – at age seven. There was also a link to obesity and high blood pressure, the Chinese University of Hong Kong researchers found.

US guidelines recommend mothers of a healthy weight put on no more than 2st 7lb during pregnancy.

But the Royal College of Midwives’ Mandy Forrester says there is no UK equivalent, adding: ‘This highlights the need for guidelines here.’