2014 Volume 23 Issue 1 Pages 63-69
The theory that prenatal and infant undernutrition and fetal growth retardation can be risk factors for lifestyle diseases in adulthood.called the developmental origins of health and disease.has been accepted worldwide. Nutritional status during pregnancy has a profound effect on infants' health and disease later in life. Since the birth weight declines are notable in Japan recently, it is important to take in enough calories and nutrients for both fetuses and mothers. However, there is little evidence concerning lipid nutritional management during pregnancy that considers the infants' future health. Our studies on cholesterol and trans fatty acids have been conducted so far and the results suggested that maternal dietary fat intake influences the development of fetuses. There seems to be insufficient evidence to determine the quality and quantity of dietary fats in pregnancy. Further investigations are needed to define appropriate dietary fat intakes during pregnancy.
