Pre-Pregnancy BMI as a Risk Factor: Associations with Maternal Hair Cortisol and Child Psychopathology at Age Two
January 2025
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This study, involving 651 participants from the Gestastress-Childstress project, found that higher pre-pregnancy BMI is linked to increased maternal hair cortisol levels during pregnancy and greater internalizing and externalizing problems in children at age two. These findings support the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, highlighting the significance of considering biological, hormonal, and psychological factors in understanding maternal and child health. The study emphasizes the need for an integrative approach to address the interplay between stress, psychopathology, and pregnancy.
