A new study found that obese mothers who consume a high-fat diet during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to obese babies with a higher risk of metabolic disorders like diabetes, according to Yale University researchers.
Researchers speculate that one reason for the babies suffering from high risk of metabolic disorders could be due to abnormal neuronal circuits in the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that regulates metabolism. They also found that mothers who consumed more fat during the third trimester might be putting their children at risk of lifelong obesity.
For the study, researchers developed a mouse model of metabolic programming. They found that mouse mothers that fed on a high-fat diet during lactation had offspring with abnormal metabolism. It also altered insulin signaling in their brain circuit. As a result, the offspring remained overweight and had abnormalities in glucose metabolism throughout their adult life.
"Our study suggests that expecting mothers can have major impact on the long-term metabolic health of their children by properly controlling nutrition during this critical developmental period of the offspring," said study author Tamas Horvath of the Yale University School of Medicine.
Researchers are not 100 percent sure whether the same mechanism takes place in humans because of the genetic differences in both species. While the neuronal circuit in the hypothalamus of mice develops even after they are born, a human is born with a fully developed neuron circuit.
The researchers state that the third trimester of pregnancy in humans is the most important and their dietary intake during this time influences the offspring.
"Given that gestational diabetes frequently manifests during the third trimester, our results point toward the necessity of more intensified screening of mothers for altered glucose metabolism, as well as tightly controlled antidiabetic therapy if any alterations are detected during this critical period," the researchers said.