Maternal smoking during pregnancy and appetite control in offspring.

AIMS: Intrauterine exposure to tobacco smoke products has been associated with long-term neurobehavioral effects. Modified appetite control might explain the recently observed association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and obesity in offspring.

METHODS

Some 10,557 British adults aged 42 years born between 3-9 March 1958 were followed up in a birth cohort study (NCDS). The main outcome measure was self-reported poor appetite at age 42 years and main exposure was maternal smoking during pregnancy.

RESULTS

The proportion of offspring with poor appetite increased with maternal smoking during pregnancy: non-smoking 4.5%; (4.0%-5.0%), medium smoking 5.6%; (4.5%-6.8%), variable smoking 6.8%; (4.9%-9.1%) and heavy smoking 7.7%; (6.3%-9.4%). The unadjusted odds ratios for maternal smoking during pregnancy (ever/never) and poor appetite is 1.49 (1.25-1.77) and after adjustment for BMI at 42 years and other potential confounding factors it is 1.22 (1.01-1.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Offspring of mothers who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to report a poor appetite independent of a number of potential confounding factors. Although not in the expected direction, the results suggest maternal smoking during pregnancy may influence appetite perception through a developmental influence or through confounding by social factors.