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. 2011 Jun 3:2:27.
doi: 10.3389/fgene.2011.00027. eCollection 2011.

Developmental programming in response to maternal overnutrition

Maria Z Alfaradhi  1 , Susan E Ozanne
Affiliations

Developmental programming in response to maternal overnutrition

Maria Z Alfaradhi et al. Front Genet. .

Abstract

Metabolic disorders have seen an increased prevalence in recent years in developed as well as developing countries. While it is clear lifestyle choices and habits have contributed to this epidemic, mounting evidence suggests the nutritional milieu during critical stages of development in early life can "program" individuals to develop the metabolic syndrome later in life. Extensive epidemiological data presents an association between maternal obesity and nutrition during pregnancy and offspring obesity, and a number of animal models have been established in order to uncover the underlying mechanisms contributing to the programming of physiological systems. It is hard to distinguish the causal factors due to the complex nature of the maternal-fetal relationship; however, in order to develop adequate prevention strategies it is vital to identify which maternal factor(s) - be it the diet, diet-induced obesity or weight gain - and at which time during early development instigate the programmed phenotype. Curtailing the onset of obesity at this early stage in life presents a promising avenue through which to stem the growing epidemic of obesity.

Keywords: developmental programming; epigenetics; maternal overnutrition; obesity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The effects of developmental programming on offspring phenotype resulting in insulin resistance and obesity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Potential mechanisms of developmental programming in response to maternal overnutrition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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