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Published on: November 1, 2019
Developmental programming of obesity in mammals
1Division of Reproduction & Endocrinology, 10 Floor North Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK. paul.taylor@kcl.ac.uk
Experimental Physiology
|December 16, 2006
Summary
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences offspring
Area of Science:
- Developmental origins of health and disease
- Metabolic disorders and obesity research
Background:
- Obesity origins involve gene-environment interactions from conception.
- Both low and high birth weight are linked to adult obesity and metabolic syndrome.
- Animal models support developmental programming of obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review maternal nutritional and hormonal influences on offspring's energy balance.
- Explore mechanisms programming appetite and energy expenditure.
- Identify perinatal programming targets for obesity interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological and animal studies.
- Analysis of maternal programming 'vectors' and molecular mechanisms.
- Focus on hormonal, neuronal, and autocrine regulation of energy balance.
Main Results:
- Maternal environment during gestation permanently programs offspring's metabolism.
- Specific nutritional and hormonal exposures can alter long-term energy homeostasis.
- Both under- and overnutrition during pregnancy increase obesity risk.
Conclusions:
- The perinatal environment is a critical target for preventing obesity.
- Understanding developmental origins can lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
- Interventions targeting maternal programming may help combat the obesity epidemic.
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