Prenatal nutrition associated with preference for fatty foods in later life
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Gestational maternal undernutrition is associated with increased risk for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in the offspring. Patients who spent their early gestation during the Second World War Dutch famine later develop a more atherogenic lipid profile. A total of 730 Dutch men and women born around the time of the Dutch famine were studied in order to investigate whether their dyslipidaemia was associated with a more atherogenic diet and/or a reduction in physical activity. There were no differences in mean intake of total energy or percentage of proteins, carbohydrates, and fat in the diet between the different exposure groups. Nonetheless, subjects exposed to famine in early gestation were twice as likely to consume a high-fat diet. Moreover, they tended to be less physically active although the difference did not reach statistical significance. This is the first direct evidence in humans that prenatal malnutrition from maternal undernutrition may affect dietary preferences and physical activity behaviour, thus contributing to more atherogenic lipid profiles in later life.
Abstract
