Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13119545

They seem to me to be saying....low carb mums have these markers. Also fat kids have these markers. Therefore low carb mums cause fat kids. Therefore pregnant ladies must eat more sugar and starch. I think the logic may fail, but I would like a better scientist than I to look at this article.

Does this research make sense?

Kit

flag	asked Apr 23 2011 at 5:36 Kit 404●3●7

	I wish we knew how the kids were eating. I mean, would the child of a paleo mom who then also is brought up paleo have weight problems? This is so vague. – Aughra Apr 23 2011 at 18:51
	I won't comment on the validity of the article/findings, but if this were the case, that might explain why so many pregnant paleos have sudden insatiable cravings for wheat and starch (i.e., it's a protective measure). – Krisha C. Jan 4 2012 at 15:02

FitRichWoman · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-23 06:37:25Z UTC

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Sounds to me that the kids genes desired to maintain a low carb diet to thrive on but they were being fed copious amounts of junk food, as most 6-9 year olds are, and got FAT! Just as my kids did when I was put on a low carb diabetic diet when I was pregnant all 3 times and my kids started to fatten between those ages. I've since reversed that though...

answered Apr 23 2011 at 6:37

FitRichWoman
36●1

And how is this getting voted up and being the accepted response? This is addressed in the article: "Professor Keith Godfrey, who is from the University of Southampton and led the international study, told the BBC: "What is surprising is that it explains a quarter of the difference in the fatness of children six to nine years later."" I haven't read the study, but it implies that they controlled for different diets of the children. – Wisper Jan 4 2012 at 11:27

mari · Answer 2 · 2011-04-23 12:33:55Z UTC

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Most people going low carb are overweight. Possible cofounder?

edited Apr 23 2011 at 12:33

answered Apr 23 2011 at 12:27

mari
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Rock_Paper_Shirley · Answer 3 · 2011-04-23 15:55:27Z UTC

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I'd want to know more about what the women were actually eating. Were they low carb on fresh veggies and meats, or low carb on junk with a bunch of fake sweeteners and GMO soy fillers? I think there is a massive difference!

answered Apr 23 2011 at 15:55

Rock_Paper_Shirley
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pjnoir · Answer 4 · 2011-04-23 11:27:49Z UTC

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Mumble jumble. Low Carb is always under attack from the mainstream medical society. This report is so vague, it explains nothing.

answered Apr 23 2011 at 11:27

pjnoir
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Allie · Answer 5 · 2011-04-24 01:47:45Z UTC

Hmm, after reading the article my immediate thoughts: what exactly was the 'diet' of these 'low-carb' pregnant women (e.g. fat and protein ratios?). What was the diet of the kids from birth to age 6-9? I'd be interested to know that as well. Also, I don't think 'chubby' 6-9 year-olds mean they are going to be obese later in life. Perhaps there is a correlation, but correlation does not mean causation.

You asked does the research make sense: I would need more data. Scientific articles. Something more comprehensive. Data can easily be skewed in such articles, in my opinion. I like facts.

Keto-jen · Answer 6 · 2012-01-04 02:48:20Z UTC

I would have to find the journal, but way before I had interest in low-carb I do remember a journal article on children who were born to mothers who were suffering from food shortages or had lost weight due to illness ( Spanish flu? Must google) children had more fat cells, were fatter throughout life and suffered more effects of obesity. Think about it, it makes sense. If you develop in the womb of a starving woman ( ketosis is read by the body as starvation), it would be advantageous to lay down more fat cells in preparation to enter a world with food scarcity, enabling the baby to take advantage of " good times" by laying down ample stores of fat. My take away? To give your baby a better shot in life, don't go through pregnancy on a ketogenic diet. If a pregnant cavewoman had access to carbs, she would eat them.

Low carb mums have fat kids?

6 Answers