Fetal Programming of Obesity

Abstract

In recent years, it has been over emphasized that enviromental factors exposed in fetal period and early years of life can affect lifelong health status. Specially, the origins of obesity date back to early years of life and prenatal/postnatal inadequate nutritional status increases obesity predisposition. Impairment of functions in tissues, alteration in insulin secretion and senstivity, increase in number and/ or size of fat cells or alterations in adipose tissue function and alterations in appetite regulation are thought to be the main mechanisms in fetal programming. In addition to maternal obesity and gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes increases later obesity in newborn. Higher or lower gestational weight gain than the recommended values is a risk factor for obesity. Maternal hyperglycemia can cause an increase in fetal adiposity by inducing fetal insulin synthesis. Thus, appropriate gestational weight gain and metabolic control in gestational diabetes are strongly recommended.