Maternal body mass index (BMI) is independently associated with the control of diabetes mellitus in young patients.

Objective: Investigate the cross-sectional association of glycemic control of ethnically diverse youth with diabetes mellitus with family characteristics.

Design: Family study of 91 youth (probands) with diabetes mellitus and 142 parents.

Results: Children's age and HbA1c averaged 11.9 years and 8.9%, respectively; 69% were minorities. After adjustment, poor glycemic control was associated with minority race/ethnicity, more television viewing, and higher maternal body mass index (BMI). Average HbA1c was 1.2 and 1.9% units higher for children of overweight and obese mothers, respectively (p = 0.004).

Conclusions: The positive association between maternal body composition and child HbA1c likely represents the unique behavioral influence of mothers.