Effects of pregnancy diet on offspring

Just how much does a mother’s diet during pregnancy affects her offspring?  Quite a bit, according to a study by European researchers.  A pregnant woman’s diet may be more responsible for problems like obesity and diabetes in her offspring, than the diet of the child itself, during its lifetime.  A Europe wide study is set to look into the effects of a mother’s diet before and after pregnancy, on the health of the child later in its life.  The research project is named EARNEST and 40 institutions are taking part in it.  Pregnant women, who eat lots of fats and carbohydrates run a high risk of developing maternal diabetes (also called as gestational diabetes).  The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of fat rich food on the child and provide advice on diet for pregnant women and new born babies.

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