Intergenerational cycle of obesity and diabetes: how can we reduce the burdens of these conditions on the health of future generations?

Exp Diabetes Res. 2011:2011:596060. doi: 10.1155/2011/596060. Epub 2011 Oct 29.

Abstract

Prepregnancy overweight or obesity and excessive gestational weight gain have been associated with increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications. Moreover, offspring from obese women are more likely to develop obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases in their lifetime. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications associated with obesity and appears to have a direct impact on the future metabolic health of the child. Fetal programming of metabolic function induced by obesity and GDM may have intergenerational effect and thus perpetuate the epidemic of cardiometabolic conditions. The present paper thus aims at discussing the impact of maternal obesity and GDM on the developmental programming of obesity and metabolic disorders in the offspring. The main interventions designed to reduce maternal obesity and GDM and their ability to break the vicious circle that perpetuates the transmission of obesity and metabolic conditions to the next generations are also addressed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology*
  • Diabetes, Gestational* / etiology
  • Female
  • Fetal Development
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / etiology
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Overweight / complications
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Preconception Care
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Pregnancy in Diabetics*
  • Prenatal Care
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Weight Gain