Free for Reprint Articles - Pregnancy Junk Food Diet Linked to Obesity
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mums eating a diet rich in junk food are placing their babies at risk of obesity and early-onset diabetes in later life.
Recent research carried out by Professor Neil Stikland from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and Dr Stephanie Bayers, shows that eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet during both pregnancy and lactation is essential for babies health.
Conversely, babies receiving a junk-food rich diet are less healthy and are more likely to have poorly developed muscles.
In their study, Professor Stikland and Dr Bayers found that when pregnant rats were fed a diet of muffins, chocolate, cheese, crisps, doughnuts, biscuits and sweets, they bore offspring which were fatter and showed signs of muscle waste.
And, as early as three weeks of age, the offspring also appeared to show signs of insulin-resistance, which precedes the early onset of type-2 diabetes.
Healthy eating habits should begin during pregnancy.
"The clamour to give children better school dinners is all very well, but future mothers need to be aware that pregnancy is not the time to over-indulge on sugary-fatty treats."
Currently, Professor Stikland and Dr Bayers are studying the longer term effects on the offsprings health and development, and the effects of such junk food diets on promoting hyperactive behaviour.
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