Study: People Undernourished in Womb at Higher Risk of Obesity Later

People who were undernourished while in their mothers' womb may be at increased risk of overeating and developing a couch-potato lifestyle later in life, according to a study reported in the July issue of the American Journal of Physiology.

University of Auckland physiologists found that obesity, sedentary behavior and overeating may have a common biological and prenatal origin.

They said their findings explain why attempts to increase exercise and reduce food intake in adults with hypertension, insulin resistance and high cholesterol are often ineffective.

Through genetic engineering, the researchers ensured that mice were undernourished in the womb. They found that these mice were significantly more sedentary and prone to overeating after they were born than mice of mothers with a standard diet during pregnancy.

They also found that the undernourished mice were sedentary throughout their lives.

The researchers said their findings reveal that predispositions to obesity, altered eating behavior, and sedentary activity are linked and occur independently of eating habits after birth.

The researchers suggested that public health care dollars might be better spent on improving pregnancy care.

Other sources: American Journal of Physiology