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Studies show that treating gestational diabetes can reverse the risk of obesity in children.

Endocrinologist and study leader Teresa Hillier said that the result of the study could encourage expectant mothers to comply with the treatment knowing that it is for the betterment of their offspring. Since a pregnant woman who suffers diabetes and is treated has the same risk as the women who did not have the illness. Untreated gestational diabetes has an 82-89% probability of risking children of becoming overweight or obese. Because the mother's high blood sugar level disrupts the development of the child's metabolism.

The study, funded by the American Diabetes Association, examined the health records of 9,439 women who gave birth between 1995 and 2000 in kaiser permanente Center for Health Research with the aim to see the effect of untreated gestational diabetes among kids aged 5 to 7. Apparently, fat children between those ages have a higher risk of obesity.