Mother’s Unhealthy Diet May Have Long-Term Impact on Baby’s Health

Mothers who eat an unhealthy diet during pregnancy may be putting their children at risk of developing long term, irreversible health issues including obesity, raised levels of cholesterol and blood sugar, according to new research.

The offspring of the mothers fed junk food diets had raised levels of cholesterol as well as higher levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the bloodstream.

Both are known to increase the risk of developing heart disease. Similarly, the offspring had higher levels of glucose and insulin, both of which increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

“It seems that a mother’s diet whilst pregnant and breastfeeding is very important for the long term health of her child,” says Dr Bayol.

A 2007 US study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology showed that the more weight that pregnant women put on, the higher the risk that the child would be obese children. A 2005 British Medical Journal study also showed a correlation between parental and child weight.

One surprising find from the study was how the maternal diet disrupted the offspring’s metabolism: male offspring whose mothers had gorged on junk food had higher levels of insulin and normal levels of glucose, whilst the opposite was true for female offspring, who also tended to be fatter.

In addition, female offspring showed higher levels of leptin, a hormone related to appetite. It is already known that female appetite is more sensitive to leptin and male appetite to insulin, both of which the body can become resistant to. This suggests that metabolism is different for the two sexes and that the offspring’s bodies will have a tendency towards over-eating.

Pregnancy can be a difficult time for many mothers, but it is important that they are aware that what they eat may affect their offspring.”

Source: ScienceDaily