An analysis of 68 million births over 23 years has found a link between maternal weight gain and boy fetuses.
“Over all, 51 percent of babies born are boys. But Kristen J. Navara, an endocrinologist in the Poultry Science Department at the University of Georgia, found that the amount of pregnancy weight gained and the proportion of males born go up together. When mothers gain 20 pounds, roughly 49 percent of babies born are boys. At 40 pounds gained, about 52.5 percent are boys; and at 60 pounds, about 54 percent are boys. Above 60 pounds, the correlation disappears. The study was published in PLOS One.” -The NY Times Blog
Lower maternal weight may be more detrimental to boys than girls because boy fetuses have higher metabolic rates and require more nourishment.
To read more about the study, visit The NY Times Blog.