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McNestry C, Crowley RK, O'Reilly SL, Kasemiire A, Callanan S, Delahunt A, Twomey PJ, McAuliffe FM. Breastfeeding duration is associated with favorable body composition and lower glycoprotein acetyls in later life. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024. [PMID: 38587060 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between lifetime breastfeeding behaviors and cardiovascular risk in later reproductive years. METHOD This was a prospective 10-year longitudinal cohort study of 168 parous women. Health, lifestyle and infant feeding questionnaires, blood samples, anthropometry and body composition were collected. Cardiovascular risk was estimated using QRISK®3 and hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis performed. RESULTS Mean age was 42.4 years (SD 3.8; range 31-50) and 98.7% (n = 156/158) were premenopausal. Ever breastfeeding rates were 72.6% (n = 122/168) and 37.5% (n = 63/168) lifetime ≥12 months breastfeeding duration. Median durations were 5.5 weeks for exclusive breastfeeding (IQR 35.8; range 0-190) and 30.5 weeks for any breastfeeding (IQR 84.0; range 0-488). Breastfeeding duration was not associated with QRISK®3 scores in adjusted models. Lower glycoprotein acetyls were associated with ever breastfeeding (P = 0.03), and lifetime breastfeeding ≥12 months (P = 0.001). Lifetime breastfeeding ≥12 months and longer exclusive breastfeeding were associated with lower fat mass index (P = 0.03, P = 0.01), tissue percentage fat (P = 0.02, P = 0.009) and visceral adipose tissue volume (P = 0.04, P = 0.025) after correcting for confounders including body mass index. CONCLUSION Longer breastfeeding is associated with favorable body composition and lower glycoprotein acetyls, a novel inflammatory biomarker associated with cardiometabolic risk. Breastfeeding is a low-cost, health promoting behavior for women and infants. Pregnant women, especially those at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, should be counseled about the potential benefits of exclusive and longer breastfeeding duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine McNestry
- Perinatal Research Center, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rachel K Crowley
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sharleen L O'Reilly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alice Kasemiire
- Center for Support and Training in Analysis and Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sophie Callanan
- Perinatal Research Center, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anna Delahunt
- Perinatal Research Center, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Patrick J Twomey
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala M McAuliffe
- Perinatal Research Center, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Callanan S, Killeen SL, Delahunt A, Cooney N, Cushion R, McKenna MJ, Crowley RK, Twomey PJ, Kilbane MT, McDonnell CM, Phillips CM, Cody D, McAuliffe FM. The impact of macrosomia on cardiometabolic health in preteens: findings from the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2023; 20:37. [PMID: 37667333 PMCID: PMC10476328 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-023-00759-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Macrosomia (birthweight ≥ 4 kg or ≥ 4.5 kg) is strongly associated with a predisposition to childhood obesity, which in turn is linked with adverse cardiometabolic health. Despite this, there is a lack of longitudinal investigation on the impact of high birthweight on cardiometabolic outcomes in youth. The preteen period represents an important window of opportunity to further explore this link, to potentially prevent cardiometabolic profiles worsening during puberty. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of 9-11-year-olds (n = 405) born to mothers in the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study, who previously delivered an infant with macrosomia. Preteens were dichotomised into those born with and without macrosomia, using two common cut-off criteria (birthweight ≥ 4 kg (n = 208) and < 4 kg; ≥ 4.5 kg (n = 65) and < 4.5 kg). Cardiometabolic health was assessed using anthropometry, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, blood pressure, heart rate, cardiorespiratory endurance (20-m shuttle run test), and non-fasting serum biomarkers for a subgroup (n = 213). Statistical comparisons between the two groups were explored using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Chi-square tests. Crude and adjusted linear regression models investigated associations between macrosomia and preteen cardiometabolic outcomes. RESULTS In total, 29.3% (n = 119) of preteens had overweight/obesity based on their BMI z-score. Preteens born ≥ 4 kg had lower median (IQR) C3 concentrations (1.38 (1.22, 1.52) g/L vs. 1.4 (1.26, 1.6) g/L, p = 0.043) and lower median (IQR) ICAM-1 concentrations (345.39 (290.34, 394.91) ng/mL vs. 387.44 (312.91, 441.83) ng/mL, p = 0.040), than those born < 4 kg. Those born ≥ 4.5 kg had higher mean (SD) BMI z-scores (0.71 (0.99) vs. 0.36 (1.09), p = 0.016), and higher median (IQR) lean mass (24.76 (23.28, 28.51) kg vs. 23.87 (21.9, 26.79) kg, p = 0.021), than those born < 4.5 kg. Adjusted linear regression analyses revealed birthweight ≥ 4 kg was negatively associated with C3 concentration (g/L) (B = - 0.095, 95% CI = - 0.162, - 0.029, p = 0.005) and birthweight ≥ 4.5 kg was positively associated with weight z-score (B = 0.325, 95% CI = 0.018, 0.633, p = 0.038), height z-score (B = 0.391, 95% CI = 0.079, 0.703, p = 0.014), lean mass (kg) (B = 1.353, 95% CI = 0.264, 2.442, p = 0.015) and cardiorespiratory endurance (B = 0.407, 95% CI = 0.006, 0.808, p = 0.047). CONCLUSION This study found no strong evidence to suggest that macrosomia is associated with adverse preteen cardiometabolic health. Macrosomia alone may not be a long-term cardiometabolic risk factor. Trial registration ISRCTN54392969 registered at www.isrctn.com .
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Callanan
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah Louise Killeen
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anna Delahunt
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nessa Cooney
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rosemary Cushion
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Malachi J McKenna
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rachel K Crowley
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Patrick J Twomey
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark T Kilbane
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ciara M McDonnell
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Health Ireland, Temple Street and Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catherine M Phillips
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Declan Cody
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Children's Health Ireland, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala M McAuliffe
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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3
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Wu AJ, Oken E. Developmental Contributions to Obesity: Nutritional Exposures in the First Thousand Days. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2023; 52:333-345. [PMID: 37197877 PMCID: PMC10315183 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is prevalent and continuing to rise across all age groups, even children. As obesity is challenging to manage and treat, prevention is critical. Here, we highlight nutritional influences during periods of early developmental plasticity, namely the prenatal period and infancy, that have been shown to contribute to the development of obesity into childhood and beyond. We review recent research that examines maternal nutritional factors including dietary patterns and quality, as well as the infant diet, such as complementary foods and beverages, that influence long-term obesity risk. We end with recommendations for clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Hunnewell Ground, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Drive, Suite 401E, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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O'Keeffe LM, Yelverton CA, Bartels HC, O'Neill KN, McDonnell C, McAuliffe FM. Application of multilevel linear spline models for analysis of growth trajectories in a cohort with repeat antenatal and postnatal measures of growth: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065701. [PMID: 36972957 PMCID: PMC10069489 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To model trajectories of antenatal and postnatal growth using linear spline multilevel models. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland. PARTICIPANTS 720-759 mother-child pairs from the ROLO study (initially a randomised control trial of a low glycaemic index diet in pregnancy to prevent recurrence of macrosomia [birth weight >4 kg]). PRIMARY OUTCOMES Trajectories of growth from 20 weeks gestation (abdominal circumference [AC], head circumference [HC] and weight) or birth (length/height) to 5 years. RESULTS Over 50% of women had third-level education and 90% were of white ethnicity. Women were a mean (SD) age of 32 years (4.2) at recruitment. The best fitting model for AC, HC and weight included a model with 5 linear spline periods. The best fitting models for length/height included a model with 3 linear spline periods from birth to 6 months, 6 months to 2 years and 2 years to 5 years. Comparison of observed and predicted values for each model demonstrated good model fit. For all growth measures, growth rates were generally fastest in pregnancy or immediately post partum (for length/height), with rates of growth slowing after birth and becoming slower still as infancy and childhood progressed. CONCLUSION We demonstrate the application of multilevel linear spline models for examining growth trajectories when both antenatal and postnatal measures of growth are available. The approach may be useful for cohort studies or randomised control trials with repeat prospective assessments of growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda M O'Keeffe
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | - Cara A Yelverton
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Helena C Bartels
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kate N O'Neill
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ciara McDonnell
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala M McAuliffe
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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5
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Delahunt A, Callanan S, Killeen SL, McDonnell CM, McAuliffe FM. Including the child's voice in research from a longitudinal birth cohort: insights from the ROLO young person's advisory group. RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 2023; 9:2. [PMID: 36759920 PMCID: PMC9910271 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-023-00411-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public and patient involvement (PPI) through Young Person's Advisory Groups (YPAG) enables children to provide guidance and insight into research activities. PPI is an important characteristic of research, however, to date, most collaboration has been with adults. Also, few YPAGs have been established within the Irish setting. The ROLO (Randomised cOntrol trial of a LOw glycaemic index diet in pregnancy to prevent macrosomia) YPAG was established in July 2020 to identify the research priorities of a group of healthy Irish children who are part of a longitudinal birth cohort. We aimed to describe this process and the key insights to date. METHODS The ROLO study is a longitudinal birth cohort which has followed-up mother-child dyads at multiple timepoints over 10 years. Mothers actively involved in the study were contacted by the research team to invite their ROLO child and older sibling to participate in the YPAG. Meetings were conducted virtually between July 2020 and February 2022. Researchers encouraged free expression of views amongst the children regarding their research interests. Meetings were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed for themes based on the topics most frequently discussed and considered important to participants. RESULTS In all, seven ROLO children and six older siblings attended four ROLO YPAG meetings. Participants were aged between nine to fifteen years old. Four key themes were identified; study children viewed their identity as part of a longitudinal birth cohort as positive and unique; study children considered the fitness test and body measurements as fun aspects related to their participation; all children considered the impact and use of social media as an important form of communication; and all participants expressed interest in attaining new health-related information and learning opportunities. Children suggested topics such as mental health, future viruses, organ transplants, cancer, and the effect of technology and chemicals on the body were important for future research. CONCLUSION The ROLO YPAG offers promising scope for continued collaboration. The themes identified from the meetings contribute to a gap in the literature which will guide future research activities, particularly with children, in view of study design, relevance, and by communication strategies. Trial Details: ISRCTN54392969 registered at www.isrctn.com .
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Delahunt
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, The National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Sophie Callanan
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, The National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Sarah Louise Killeen
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, The National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ciara M McDonnell
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Health Ireland, Temple Street and Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala M McAuliffe
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, The National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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Fortin-Miller S, Plonka B, Gibbs H, Christifano D, Hull H. Prenatal interventions and the development of childhood obesity. Pediatr Obes 2023; 18:e12981. [PMID: 36104864 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excess maternal adiposity during pregnancy has lasting effects on child outcomes including increased risk of overweight/obesity, which drives disease development. Prenatal interventions are a potential avenue to curb childhood obesity rates, but little is known on their long-term influence on offspring adiposity. OBJECTIVE Review the evidence for lasting effects of prenatal interventions on child adiposity. METHODS Three databases were searched for follow-up studies of completed prenatal RCTs that involved a diet, exercise, or combined (diet and exercise) intervention, and assessed offspring adiposity-related outcomes beyond birth. RESULTS A total of 18 follow-up studies describing 4277 offspring were included. Anthropometrics were collected in all studies while body composition was measured in 15 of the studies. Diet or exercise interventions did not have a consistent significant effect on child adiposity. Three combined interventions resulted in lower levels of child adiposity at 3, 6, and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS No strong association was found between prenatal diet, exercise, or combined interventions and child adiposity. Data are limited due to 63.6% overall retention rate for the follow-up studies and heterogeneity of intervention approach and child adiposity measures. Findings suggest combined interventions initiated early in pregnancy may decrease offspring adiposity in the first year of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fortin-Miller
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Brendel Plonka
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Heather Gibbs
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Danielle Christifano
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Holly Hull
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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Bartels HC, O'Keeffe LM, Yelverton CA, O'Neill KN, Geraghty AA, O'Brien EC, Killeen SL, McDonnell C, McAuliffe FM. Associations between maternal metabolic parameters during pregnancy and fetal and child growth trajectories from 20 weeks' gestation to 5 years of age: Secondary analysis from the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study. Pediatr Obes 2023; 18:e12976. [PMID: 36102219 PMCID: PMC10078394 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between maternal metabolic parameters in pregnancy and growth trajectories up to 5 years of age. METHODS Data from mother-child pairs who participated in the ROLO study, a randomized trial examining the impact of a low glycaemic index diet on the recurrence of macrosomia, were analysed. Fetal and child growth trajectories were developed from longitudinal measurements from 20 weeks gestation up to 5 years of age. We examined associations between maternal fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin, taken in early pregnancy (14-16 weeks) and late pregnancy (28 weeks), and weight (kg) and abdominal circumference (cm) trajectories using linear spline multilevel models. RESULTS We found no strong evidence of associations between any maternal metabolic parameters and fetal to childhood weight and abdominal circumference trajectories from 20 weeks gestation to 5 years. CONCLUSION In a cohort of women with obesity with infants at risk of macrosomia, maternal metabolic markers were not strongly associated with trajectories of weight or abdominal circumference from 20 weeks gestation to 5 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena C Bartels
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linda M O'Keeffe
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Cara A Yelverton
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kate N O'Neill
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aisling A Geraghty
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eileen C O'Brien
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah Louise Killeen
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ciara McDonnell
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes, Children's Health Ireland, Temple Street Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala M McAuliffe
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Delahunt A, Conway MC, Callaghan SL, Brien EC, Geraghty AA, Reilly SL, McDonnell CM, Mehegan J, McAuliffe FM. Maternal dietary quality during pregnancy and child appetitive traits at 5-years-old: Findings from the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study. Appetite 2022; 179:106291. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Maternal Dietary Quality and Dietary Inflammation Associations with Offspring Growth, Placental Development, and DNA Methylation. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13093130. [PMID: 34579008 PMCID: PMC8468062 DOI: 10.3390/nu13093130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ‘Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases’ hypothesis posits that prenatal maternal diet influences offspring growth and later life health outcomes. Dietary assessment has focused on selected nutrients. However, this approach does not consider the complex interactions between foods and nutrients. To provide a more comprehensive approach to public health, dietary indices have been developed to assess dietary quality, dietary inflammation and risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Thus far, their use in the context of placental development is limited and associations with offspring outcomes have been inconsistent. Although epidemiological studies have focused on the role of maternal diet on foetal programming, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Some evidence suggests these associations may be driven by placental and epigenetic changes. In this narrative review, we examine the current literature regarding relationships between key validated diet quality scores (Dietary Inflammatory Index [DII], Mediterranean diet [MD], Healthy Eating Index [HEI], Alternative Healthy Eating Index [AHEI], Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH], Glycaemic Index [GI] and Glycaemic Load [GL]) in pregnancy and birth and long-term offspring outcomes. We summarise findings, discuss potential underlying placental and epigenetic mechanisms, in particular DNA methylation, and highlight the need for further research and public health strategies that incorporate diet quality and epigenetics.
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