Parental body mass index and maternal gestational weight gain associations with offspring body composition in young women from the Nutritionists' Health Study

ABSTRACT Objective: Intrauterine environment can induce fetal metabolic programming that predisposes to adiposity-related chronic diseases in its lifespan. We examined the associations of parental nutritional status and gestational weight gain with offspring body composition in early adulthood. Materials and methods: This is cross-sectional analysis of female participants of the NutriHS who were submitted to questionnaires, clinical examinations and body composition assessed by DXA. Association of pre-conception parental BMI and maternal gestational weight gain (exposures) with body composition measurements (outcomes) were analyzed using multiple linear models adjusted for Directed Acyclic Graphs-based covariables (maternal and paternal educational level, maternal age, and tobacco, alcohol and/or drugs use). The sample included 124 women (median 28 (24-31) years) with a mean BMI of 25.4 ± 4.7 kg/m2. Results: No association between previous paternal BMI and offspring's body composition was detected. In the fully adjusted linear regression model, maternal BMI was associated with offspring's total lean mass (β = 0.66, p = 0.001), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) (β = 0.11, p = 0.003) and fat mass index (FMI) (β = 0.03, p = 0.039). Gestational weight gain was associated with increased offspring's BMI (OR 1.12 [95% CI 1.02-1.20], p = 0.01). The linear regression model adjusted for maternal age and maternal and paternal education levels showed associations of gestational weight gain with offspring's ASMI (β = 0.42, p = 0.046), FMI (β = 0.22, p = 0.005) and android-to-gynoid fat ratio (β = 0.09, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that preconception maternal BMI could influence lean mass and general adiposity of young adult female offspring and that gestational weight gain could be useful for predicting centrally distributed adiposity.

Programación temprana de la hipertensión arterial / Early programming of hypertension

La hipertensión arterial (HTA) es un factor de riesgo modificable de enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) y debe incluirse dentro del estudio de los orígenes del desarrollo de la salud y enfermedad (DOHaD). Durante el desarrollo intrauterino y perinatal, diferentes factores ambientales impactan en la programación temprana de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ECNT). En esta revisión se resume la evidencia que vincula los cambios adaptativos y la plasticidad del feto a factores ambientales desfavorables alterando el fenotipo adulto en el desarrollo de HTA. Estos cambios adaptativos responden a cambios epigenéticos que favorecen el desarrollo de HTA y ECV en la edad adulta con implicancias intergeneracionales. Por último, se mencionan estrategias preventivas para limitar o revertir algunas de las variables que pueden producir alteraciones en la programación del desarrollo que conducen a HTA en etapas más tardías de la vida.

Hypertension (HTN) is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and should be included in the study of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). During intrauterine and perinatal development, different environmental factors have an impact on the early programming of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This review provides a summary of the evidence that connects the fetus' plasticity and adaptive changes to unfavorable environmental factors that alter the adult phenotype in the development of HTN. Such adaptive changes result from epigenetic changes that favor the development of HTN and CVD in adulthood with intergenerational implications. Lastly, we mention preventive strategies to limit or reverse any variable that may alter developmental programming leading to HTN later in life.

Hokkaido birth cohort study on environment and children's health: cohort profile 2021

BACKGROUND@#The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health is an ongoing study consisting of two birth cohorts of different population sizes: the Sapporo cohort and the Hokkaido cohort. Our primary objectives are to (1) examine the effects that low-level environmental chemical exposures have on birth outcomes, including birth defects and growth retardation; (2) follow the development of allergies, infectious diseases, and neurobehavioral developmental disorders, as well as perform a longitudinal observation of child development; (3) identify high-risk groups based on genetic susceptibility to environmental chemicals; and (4) identify the additive effects of various chemicals, including tobacco.@*METHODS@#The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the progress of the Hokkaido Study, summarize recent results, and suggest future directions. In particular, this report provides the latest details from questionnaire surveys, face-to-face examinations, and a collection of biological specimens from children and measurements of their chemical exposures.@*RESULTS@#The latest findings indicate different risk factors of parental characteristics on birth outcomes and the mediating effect between socioeconomic status and children that are small for the gestational age. Maternal serum folate was not associated with birth defects. Prenatal chemical exposure and smoking were associated with birth size and growth, as well as cord blood biomarkers, such as adiponectin, leptin, thyroid, and reproductive hormones. We also found significant associations between the chemical levels and neuro development, asthma, and allergies.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Chemical exposure to children can occur both before and after birth. Longer follow-up for children is crucial in birth cohort studies to reinforce the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis. In contrast, considering shifts in the exposure levels due to regulation is also essential, which may also change the association to health outcomes. This study found that individual susceptibility to adverse health effects depends on the genotype. Epigenome modification of DNA methylation was also discovered, indicating the necessity of examining molecular biology perspectives. International collaborations can add a new dimension to the current knowledge and provide novel discoveries in the future.

Is willingness to exercise programmed in utero? Reviewing sedentary behavior and the benefits of physical activity in intrauterine growth restricted individuals / A vontade de se exercitar é programada ainda no útero? Análise do comportamento sedentário e dos benefícios da atividade física em indivíduos com crescimento intrauterino restrito

Abstract Objective: The literature suggests that a fetus will adapt to surrounding adversities by optimizing its use of energy to improve survival, ultimately leading to the programming of the individual's energy intake and expenditure. While recent reviews focused on the fetal programming of energy intake and food preferences, there is also some evidence that fetal adversity is associated with diminished physical activity levels. Therefore, we aimed to review (a) the evidence for an association between being born with intrauterine growth restriction and sedentarism over the life-course and (b) the potential benefits of physical activity over cardiometabolic risk factors for this population. Sources: PubMed, Scielo, Scopus and Embase. Summary of findings: Most clinical studies that used objective measures found no association between intrauterine growth restriction and physical activity levels, while most studies that used self-reported questionnaires revealed such relationships, particularly leisure time physical activity. Experimental studies support the existence of fetal programming of physical activity, and show that exposure to exercise during IUGR individuals' life improves metabolic outcomes but less effect was seen on muscle architecture or function. Conclusions: Alterations in muscle strength and metabolism, as well as altered aerobic performance, may predispose IUGR individuals to be spontaneously less physically active, suggesting that this population may be an important target for preventive interventions. Although very heterogeneous, the different studies allow us to infer that physical activity may have beneficial effects especially for individuals that are more vulnerable to metabolic modifications such as those with IUGR.

Resumo Objetivo: A literatura sugere que um feto se adaptará às adversidades externas ao aprimorar seu gasto energético para melhorar a sobrevida, o que leva, em última instância, à programação do consumo e gasto energético do indivíduo. Apesar de análises recentes terem focado na programação fetal do consumo energético e preferências alimentares, ainda há alguma comprovação de que as adversidades fetais estão associadas aos baixos níveis de atividade física. Portanto, visamos a analisar: a) a comprovação de uma associação entre nascer com restrição de crescimento intrauterino (RCIU) e sedentarismo durante o curso de vida e b) os possíveis benefícios da atividade física sobre os fatores de risco cardiometabólico dessa população. Fontes: PubMed, Scielo, Scopus e Embase. Resumo dos achados: A maior parte dos estudos clínicos que usaram medidas objetivas não constatou associação entre RCIU e os níveis de atividade física, ao passo que a maior parte dos estudos que usaram questionários de autorrelato revelou essas relações, principalmente no que diz respeito à atividade física de lazer. Estudos experimentais corroboram a existência de programação fetal de atividade física e mostram que a exposição a exercícios durante a vida de indivíduos com RCIU melhora os resultados metabólicos, porém menos efeito foi visto sobre a arquitetura ou função muscular. Conclusões: Alterações na força muscular e no metabolismo, bem como o desempenho aeróbico alterado, podem predispor indivíduos com RCIU a serem espontaneamente menos ativos fisicamente, sugere que essa população pode ser um importante alvo de intervenções preventivas. Apesar de muito heterogêneos, os diferentes estudos nos possibilitam deduzir que a atividade física pode ter efeitos benéficos principalmente em indivíduos mais vulneráveis a modificações metabólicas, como aqueles com RCIU.

Effect of midwives′antenatal clinic service on management of gestational weight gain / 重庆医学

Objective To evaluate the effect of midwives′antenatal clinic service on management of gestational weight and birth outcomes .Methods Totally 420 primiparas who had made registration and regular antenatal examination in a hospital ,were randomly divided into two groups .The women in the control group(n=208) received routine antenatal clinicservice .In addition ,the women in the experimental group(n=212) participated in an individual midwives′antenatal clinic .The primiparas′gestational weight gain and birth outcomes were measured and compared between the two groups .Results The rate of natural birth in the experimen‐tal group was higher than that of the control group .The rate of fetal macrosomia ,episiotomy and labor analgesia were lower than that of the control group(P0 .05) .Conclusion The midwives′antenatal clinic service has good effects on management ofgestational weight gain ,improves birth outcomes and pro‐vides primiparas positive experience of childbirth .

Los orígenes del desarrollo de la salud y de la enfermedad en Venezuela / Developmental origins of health and disease in Venezuela

La Transición Alimentaria Nutricional (TAN) acelerada que se ha producido en Venezuela producto de la rápida urbanización ha generado cambios en los estilos de vida: sedentarismo y modificaciones de la dieta tradicional. La población del país es de alto riesgo: alto porcentaje de embarazo en adolescentes, aumento de la mortalidad materna e infantil, alta prevalencia de peso bajo al nacer, incremento de prevalencias de morbimortalidad por enfermedades crónicas relacionadas con la nutrición y baja práctica de lactancia materna exclusiva. En Venezuela prevalece la doble carga nutricional: sobrepeso y desnutrición. Existen nichos obesogénicos definidos y estilos de vida que conducen a la obesidad y sus comorbilidades. Los Orígenes del Desarrollo de la Salud y la Enfermedad (ODSE) y la programación fetal y posnatal temprana (los primeros 1.000 días) son determinantes a través de mecanismos epigenéticos que alteran la actividad génica sin cambiar la secuencia del ADN conducen a modificaciones con transmisión transgeneracional. Hipótesis propuestas: alimentación materna sub-óptima (composición corporal materna alterada, dieta materna hipocalórica, inadecuada transferencia placentaria); excesivo aporte calórico intrauterino; crecimiento acelerado posnatal. Recomendaciones: optimizar estado nutricional pre y postconcepcional, la ganancia de peso gestacional y promover el control prenatal temprano; prevención del embarazo precoz; promover la lactancia materna exclusiva el primer semestre y complementaria hasta los 2 años; evitar crecimiento compensatorio acelerado; considerar la doble carga de la malnutrición en programas de intervención nutricional individualizados y nunca masivos; promover la actividad física y las comidas en familia. El pediatra debe identificar los factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos en forma temprana.

The rapid nutrition transition in Venezuela is a result of a high urbanization process with changes in life style, a rise in sedentarism and the substitution of the traditional diet. The population is at risk: a high percentage of adolescent pregnancies, a rise in child and maternal mortality, a high prevalence of low birth weight, rising prevalence of morbidity and mortality of chronic diseases related to nutrition, insufficient exclusive breast feeding practices. A double burden of under nutrition and obesity is found. Although obesogenic niches and unhealthy life styles that lead to obesity and its morbidities are evident, developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) and early nutrition programming in the first 1000 days are determinant through epigenetic mechanisms that modulate gene function without altering DNA. The mismatch or the fuel-mediated, as well as the accelerated postnatal growth hypothesis are postulated. Optimal pre and post conception nutrition status is recommended as well as appropriate weight gain during pregnancy; promotion of exclusive breast feeding through the first semester and complementary up to 2 years, also physical activity and frequent family dining; prevention of accelerated postnatal growth; the double burden should be considered in intervention programs that should be focalized. Pediatricians must identify cardio metabolic risk at an early stage.

Origens desenvolvimentistas da saúde e da doença (DOHaD): [revisão] / Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD): [review]

OBJETIVO: Apresentar um novo ramo da ciência, denominado origens desenvolvimentistas da saúde e doença (DOHaD), abordando conceitos, métodos de estudo, aspectos éticos e perspectivas para essa área do conhecimento. FONTES DOS DADOS: Revisão não sistemática da literatura biomédica, com o intuito de obter referências históricas e atualizadas relacionadas com o tema em discussão. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Estudos recentes demonstram associações entre agravos ocorridos em fases iniciais do desenvolvimento somático e a amplificação do risco para doenças crônicas ao longo da vida, tais como obesidade, diabetes e doenças cardiovasculares. Diferentes modelos foram propostos na tentativa de melhor explicar essas associações, como a teoria do fenótipo poupador, a programação, as respostas adaptativas preditivas e o conceito de concordância ou contraste. Alguns dos possíveis mecanismos envolvidos nesses processos são: efeitos do ambiente sobre a expressão gênica, através de mecanismos epigenéticos; efeitos de sinais hormonais transmitidos ao feto através da placenta ou ao recém-nascido através da lactação. CONCLUSÕES: O DOHaD agrega informações advindas de várias áreas do conhecimento, propondo novas metodologias de investigação no sentido de esclarecer a influência de eventos adversos ocorridos em fases precoces do desenvolvimento humano sobre o padrão de saúde e doença ao longo da vida. Esse novo campo da ciência propõe novos modelos de causalidade e mecanismos envolvidos no surgimento e desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas. Os resultados dessas investigações poderão resultar em impacto significativo na prevenção de doenças crônicas, bem como na promoção de saúde em diferentes fases da vida.

OBJECTIVE: To present a new branch of scientific knowledge, known as the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), covering its concepts, study methods and ethical considerations in addition to the prospects for this area of knowledge. SOURCES: A non-systematic review of the biomedical literature intended to identify historical and current references related to the subject under discussion. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Recent studies demonstrate associations between aggressions suffered during the initial phases of somatic development and amplified risk of chronic diseases throughout life, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A variety of models have been proposed in attempts to better explain these associations, such as the thrifty phenotype, programming and predictive adaptive response theories and the concept of match or mismatch. Some of the mechanisms possibly involved in these processes are: effects of the environment on gene expression, through epigenetic mechanisms; effects of hormonal signals transmitted to the fetus via the placenta or the newborn via lactation. CONCLUSIONS: DOHaD draws together information originating from many different areas of knowledge, proposing new investigative methodologies to elucidate the influence of adverse events that occur during early phases of human development on the pattern of health and disease throughout life. This new scientific field proposes new models of causality and of the mechanisms involved in the emergence and development of chronic diseases. The results of these investigations may result in a significant impact on the prevention of chronic diseases, and also on health promotion in different phases of life.