[Early nutrition and weight evolution in children]

Area of Science:

• Perinatology
• Metabolic Health
• Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)

Context:

• Maternal nutritional and metabolic status significantly influences fetal development and birth weight.
• Growing evidence links prenatal factors to offspring's long-term susceptibility to obesity and chronic diseases, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
• Epidemiological data suggest a complex relationship between birth weight and later-life health outcomes, with both low and high birth weights associated with increased risks.

Purpose:

• To explore the intricate relationship between maternal factors, fetal growth, and birth weight.
• To investigate how prenatal nutritional and metabolic environments affect offspring's metabolic programming and disease risk.
• To highlight the need for further research into the interplay of prenatal and postnatal growth determinants.

Summary:

• Maternal nutritional and metabolic factors critically influence fetal growth and birth weight, impacting offspring's long-term health.
• Both low and high birth weights are associated with increased risks of chronic diseases and obesity, with specific concerns regarding central adiposity and insulin resistance.
• Even sub-clinical maternal glucose intolerance can lead to accelerated fetal adiposity, and rapid postnatal growth further elevates overweight risk in children.

Impact:

• Informs clinical practice regarding maternal health management during pregnancy to optimize fetal development.
• Provides a foundation for public health initiatives aimed at mitigating the rising prevalence of childhood and adult obesity.
• Underscores the importance of considering the developmental origins of health and disease in addressing non-communicable diseases.