Transgenerational effects of caloric restriction on appetite: a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Nutritional science
• Reproductive biology

Background:

• Maternal undernutrition during gestation can alter offspring phenotype, potentially leading to hyperphagia, obesity, and long-term health issues.
• Previous research suggests a link between maternal food restriction and increased offspring appetite, but findings are often contradictory.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct the first meta-analysis investigating the effects of maternal caloric restriction during gestation on offspring appetite.
• To identify moderators that may explain variability in study outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Meta-analysis of 89 effect sizes from 35 experimental studies using mammalian laboratory models (rats and mice).
• Inclusion of relevant moderators, including diet composition and methods of food intake adjustment for body mass.

Main Results:

• Overall effect of maternal caloric restriction on offspring appetite was weak and not statistically significant.
• Lower protein content in restricted diets was associated with higher food intake in female offspring.
• Significant variation among studies was attributed to the method of adjusting food intake for body mass.

Conclusions:

• Maternal caloric restriction alone has a minimal impact on offspring appetite.
• Dietary protein content and appropriate allometric scaling for body mass are critical factors influencing offspring food intake.
• Standardizing methods for reporting food intake, particularly using allometric scaling, is recommended for future research to resolve inconsistencies.