Pregnant, Breastfeeding Women Who Eat Fatty Food May Have Obese Babies

Women who eat too much trans fat food may have increased risk for having obese babies.

A research conducted by Sao Paulo Federal University in Brazil specialists examined pregnant rats and nutritional affects on foetuses. Rats on fatty diet during pregnancy and lactation periods had fattier babies than those on normal diet.

The research suggests that mother's nutrition plays major role in metabolic and hormonal connections between mother's and foetus's health.

Nutritionist Luciana Pisani said: "To date only a few studies have looked at the effects on trans fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation on the metabolism of offspring in adulthood. We found that the fatty content of the babies' bodies increased when the mothers were fed the hydrogenated fat rich diet and this could be traced to the gene expression of adipokines."

Pregnant and breastfeeding rats fed with hydrogenised fats also showed to have decreased metabolic rate. Their babies were found to have high rates of fat - about 40% more than they should have. They also showed to have increased insulin production. However, these baby rats were able to come to normal weight and fat free diet later in life.

Research still needs to be further developed and conducted on humans. However, it shows clear link between nutrition during pregnancy and babies' weight. Trans fat rich food leads to increase body fat mass, which itself leads to cardiovascular diseases. Unhealthy food also leads to insulin disbalance causing diabetes.