In recent years, genetic predisposition has been used to partially explain the world-wide obesity epidemic. However, scientists in New Zealand and England think they have discovered a link between a mother's diet during her pregnancy and the chance of that child becoming an obese adult. However, even if a mother eats poorly during her pregnancy (my own mom just admitted to eating ramen noodles while she was carrying me) all is not lost, because those same scientists have found that good nutrition during a child's early years can reset their bodies and prevent a predisposition towards obesity.
It seems to all go back to the ability our bodies have to adjust to times of scarcity. If a woman doesn't get sufficient nutrition during her pregnancy, she is programming her child's body to store fuel effectively. This is terrific in times of famine, but not so good in these days of cheap and easy empty calories. It's an interesting new facet in the nature verses nurture debate.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-16-2007 @ 3:35PM
allure nobell said...
A few years ago I worked with a pregnant woman who was vegan.She was kind of pale and wan, and she gave birth to a son who was very obviously slow. He didn't respond to his name, didn't track objects dangled in front of his face-he seemed to be pretty unresponsive all around, and slow to turn over, crawl, stand, etc.
This person was vegan by choice, not economic hardship- how people make these decisions id beyond me. I wonder how that kid is doing now.
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8-16-2007 @ 6:35PM
Stephanie said...
I'm not vegan, but I wouldn't think that would necessarily be the problem as such. She may not have managed to balance her diet well enough as a vegan, a fault of the person, not the lifestyle, a choice which I'm pretty sure people don't make due to economic hardship as a rule anyhow.
As for pale, many people are pale naturally. I'm quite pale and it has more to do with avoiding excessive sun exposure than anything else.
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8-16-2007 @ 11:15PM
pbpmom3 said...
A friend of mine was having difficulty getting pregnant. She started drinking Monavie, which is all fruits including the ACAI berry. She drank this to get her daily requirement of fruits and the juice gave her so much energy. Well happy to report after trying to conceive for about 3 years, she is now due to give birth to her daughter in Dec. Of course we cannot prove it was because of the juice but we have heard so many amazing stories from people who have benefited we couldnt ignore the possibilities. Learn more: http://www.mymonavie.com/richardfamily
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8-17-2007 @ 1:35AM
Barbara said...
This is interesting. With my first son I ate for two and went from 8 stone to 12 stone. That son now 27 has no weight problems and yet spends a fair amount of time in front of a computer screen. Second son I ate carefully going from 8 stone - 9 stone. Son now 25, plays drums, walks or bikes everywhere and has weight issues.
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8-18-2007 @ 3:39PM
Noah Oliphant said...
I'm all for women trying to conceive to improve their nutrition in preparation. What do folks think about the effect vitamins and improved nutrition has on men in this situation? My wife has me taking 7 horse pill sized vitamins twice a day and it's driving me nuts.
http://www.reciperate.com
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8-19-2007 @ 10:35AM
marianne said...
It should be obvious that the food that fuels a fetus has an enormous impact on its growth and development. Subsequently, babies get their first taste of food through breastmilk, which subtly changes in flavor depending on the composition of mother's diet. Not only are babies built through mother's nutrition, but their preferences are shaped through the foods they become accustomed to early in life. The effects of early nutrition physiologically and psychologically carry through in later years.
As far as veganism is concerned, vegans are not necessarily wan or pale, nor are many people vegan for economic reasons. Vegan diets offer the very real possibility of ingesting adequate vitamins, minerals and calories, but admittedly require a bit more attention in this white bread fast food world...
see http:/www.enviromom.ca
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