Birth Weight and Diet Sensitivity

Amother’s nutritional status during pregnancy directly influences birth weight, which can have long-term effects on the health of her offspring. As discussed in the article by Painter et al. (see story on page 6), insufficient maternal intake can have a significant impact on risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). Emerging research also suggests that energy and nutrient intake during gestation and the resultant birth weight might also help determine physiological responses to dietary fat intake throughout life. For example, we recognize that plasma lipid levels vary widely between individuals in response to dietary intake. Although it is widely accepted that much of this variation is genetically determined, the other determiners of individual response to dietary factors are not well understood. One explanation for these disparities might be maternal nutrition during gestation. A recent study by Robinson et al. indicates that maternal nutrition status during pregnancy might modify individual physiological responses to dietary fat and saturated fat intake.