Mom's diet during pregnancy 'significantly' affects fetal health

Washington, Jan 20 (ANI): Mothers' diet during pregnancy can have a significant impact on the fetal health, according to a new study.

The study involving both lean and obese nonhuman primates revealed that offspring of mothers chronically consuming a high-fat diet exhibited an increased risk of developing NAFLD.

Moreover, if mothers fed a high-fat diet were reverted to a low-fat diet during a subsequent pregnancy, the second offspring exhibited fewer signs of NAFLD.

The international team led by Kevin Grove and Jacob Friedman suggests that a developing fetus is highly susceptible to maternal consumption of excess fat, whether or not the mother is obese, and that a healthy maternal diet is most important for the obesity-related health of a developing fetus.

The study team included researchers from Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora. (ANI)