Obesity risk might start in womb
A CHILD’S risk of being obese may start with genetic changes in the womb caused by their mothers diet, new research shows.
Scientists found foetuses experienced “epigenetic changes” – modifications to their DNA – when their mothers gained more weight than recommended during pregnancy.
Those changes, they said, cause the unborn child to develop cell types that may affect how their body stores fat for the rest of their life.
Researchers say the findings show the importance of testing foetuses, babies and young children for the tell-tale changes – in order to help them manage their weight earlier rather than later.
“Our results add to the growing evidence that epigenetic changes detectable at birth are linked to a child’s health as they grow up,” lead author Karen Lillycrop, of the University of Southampton, said.
“Additionally, it also strengthens the body of evidence that shows a mother’s health during pregnancy can affect the future health of her child.”
To conduct the study, Dr Lillycrop’s team took blood samples from the umbilical cords of 1 500 babies, and followed up on them periodically for the next six years, taking more blood samples.
They were looking at the SLC6A4 gene, which regulates mood and appetite. Last year, they found it significant that children with dimmer expression of SLC6A4 had trouble controlling their weight.
Researchers wanted to find out when and how mutations come about. They compared the children’s blood samples with their mother’s health records during pregnancy.
Mothers who gained more weight during pregnancy were more likely to have children with SLC6A4 mutations.
Dr Lillycrop said there was a positive: epigenetic changes aren’t fixed like genes. Research suggests things like diet, exercise and lower stress can help reverse mutations.
Co-author Professor Keith Godfrey, a member of the research team and director of the EpiGen Global Consortium, added: “The new findings strengthen the case that primary prevention of childhood obesity needs to begin before birth.”