Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have daughters who are overweight and have reproductive problems, Australian researchers say.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported Oct. 23 that the first major study on the effect of prenatal smoking on the reproductive health of offspring found that known problems such as weight gain and obesity stemming from low birthweight last into adulthood.

Daughters of 717 Australian smokers studied by researchers from the Research Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Adelaide were found to have disproportionately large waistlines and tended to have irregular menstrual periods. Lead researcher Michael Davies said these women -- all in their early 30s -- were likely to have heart disease and diabetes when they got older.