An initial study, published last year by the Royal Veterinary College and carried out on rats, found that the mothers who ate a diet rich in fat, sugar and salt while pregnant were more likely to have offspring who over-ate, compared to rats who ate regular food.
A follow-up study, published today in the Journal of Physiology by the same researchers, found that the effect lasted beyond adolescence, even when the offspring were weaned off junk food.
Rats whose mothers were fed unhealthy diets were still fatter than those whose mothers had eaten healthier diets while pregnant and breastfeeding. They also had higher levels of cholesterol, fat, glucose and insulin, putting them at risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Although the study was carried out on rats, researchers believe the effects also will apply to humans as they have similar biological systems.
Dr Stephanie Bayol, who led the study, said, 'We always say "you are what you eat". In fact, it may also be true that "you are what your mother ate." This does not mean that obesity and poor health is inevitable, and it is important that we take care of ourselves and live a healthy lifestyle. But it does mean that mothers must eat responsibly while pregnant.’
