Maternal High Fat Diet Increases Offspring Heath Risk

Although weight gain naturally occurs during pregnancy, many gain more pounds than recommended. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy can lead to major health complications. A high fat and high sugar diet during pregnancy can cause a fatty liver that could predispose children to numerous diseases and metabolic and cardiovascular disorders in later life. This information could be essential to developing strategies to tackle childhood obesity.

In a recent study, maternal obesity was examined and shown to increase the risk of health problems in offspring. Microscope slides of liver sections of baboon fetuses from obese mothers contained three times more lipid. Gene expression essential for metabolism were altered, which can lead to dysregulation of glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, proteasome, tricarboxylic acid (TCA), and Wnt signaling pathways. These pathways are essential for development, tissue homeostasis, and oxidative stress. Obesity-induced epigenetic changes in the fetal baboon caused dysregulation of essential metabolic pathways. Further studies are needed to explore the full extent of the impact on health and if this can also be passed on to future generations. With more than half of the women of reproductive age overweight or obese, children facing health problems such as obesity and heart disease in later life.

For more information: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP275422/abstract

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