Diet, Nutrition, and Fetal Programming

Abstract

The exposure of the fetus to adverse nutritional conditions has long-term effects, which can then extend into adulthood. These include increased rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Some cancer rates are also reported to increase, and there is evidence that neurological deficiencies occur in adults who were previously exposed to nutritional inadequacies in utero. There are complex interrelationships between these aforementioned conditions and their causative mechanisms. These include deficient receptor-post-receptor signaling, endocrine imbalance, defective DNA methylation, and alterations in other pathways. It is highly probable that many scientific processes are intertwined in a multifaceted way, impacting on the fetus and then the adult. Understanding these causative events, effects, and long-term outcomes means that there are windows of opportunity throughout the life cycle where diet and nutrition can be monitored, controlled, or rectified where necessary. However, pres- ently there is no coherent text that reviews the wide-ranging effects of adverse fetal nutrition and beyond. This is addressed in the present book Diet, Nutrition, and Fetal Programming, which has over 40 detailed chapters ranging from molecular biochemistry to epidemiology. Coverage includes international aspects, ethnicity, famines, malnutrition (general and specific), maternal stress, fetal growth restriction, birth weights, biomarkers, myogenesis, fibrogenesis, adipogenesis, gametogenesis, nephrogenesis, food preferences, physiology, immunology, endocrinology, neuroendocrinology, hepatology, the pancreas, the cardiovascular system, obesity, metabolic syndrome, neuropsychiatric disorders, cognition, sleep, food preferences, high-fat diets, junk food diets, fish and fish oil, n-3 fatty acids, taurine, caffeine, telomere biology, knockouts, microRNAs, and many other areas too numerous to list here. Contributors are authors of international and national standing, leaders in the field, and trendsetters. Emerging fields of science and important discoveries are also incorporated in Diet, Nutrition, and Fetal Programming. This book is designed for nutritionists and dietitians, public health scientists, medical doctors, midwives, obstetricians, pediatricians, epidemiologists, health-care professionals of various disci- plines, and policy makers. It is designed for teachers and lecturers, undergraduates and graduates, researchers, and professors.