The paradigm of developmental programming – that the intrauterine environment has long-lasting consequences for offspring health in later life – is now familiar following considerable research effort globally over the last 30-40 years. However, the recent focus on how nutrition during pregnancy impacts on offspring health has not always been accompanied by reciprocal study of maternal health outcomes. Many studies that have included maternal outcomes concentrate solely on immediate pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and gestational weight gain. However, more recently there has been renewed interest in longer term maternal outcomes for example inter-pregnancy weight gain, gestational diabetes, and maternal bone health that is driven by studies spanning an impressive range of global contexts.
The aim of this symposium is to bring together key examples of on-going studies involving various aspects of maternal physiology related to nutrition in pregnancy and create connections between disparate emerging research interests in this area. In particular, we aim to bring into focus a rebalanced and more reciprocal view of nutrition in pregnancy impacting on both mother and child.
Organisers
Dr. Catherine Aitken (University of Cambridge)
Professor Susan Ozanne (University of Cambridge, Rank Prize Nutrition Committee)
Professor Ann Prentice (University of Cambridge, Rank Prize Nutrition Committee)
