Obesity Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Obesity, including details on health, diet, prevention, exercise.

Metabolic programming: fetal origins of obesity and metabolic syndrome in the adult.

Ismail-Beigi F, Catalano PM, Hanson RW

Dept. of Medicine, Cleveland Diabetes Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. fxi2@case.edu

Exposure of the fetus to the intrauterine milieu can have profound effects on the health of the offspring in adulthood. Results of a series of studies demonstrate the powerful influence of the mother's metabolic state on whether the emerging adult develops obesity and hyperinsulinemia. Importantly, these attributes can be passed on to the next generation nongenetically and can be reversed and prevented.

Published 16 August 2006 in Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 291(3): E439-40.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Obesity Research Today. All Rights Reserved.