Pregnancy weight predicts kids' weight as teens

Researchers at Harvard Medical School studied nearly 12,000 children and teenagers. They found those whose mothers gained more than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy were 42 percent more likely to be obese.

Research in animals has found that overeating during pregnancy alters genes involved in fat regulation in offspring and also seems to affect the appetite-control centers of their brains.

Doctors suggest that normal-weight women gain is 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy.

The study is in this month's issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.