Abstract
Introduction:
Poly-unsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 and n-6 fa-
milies are involved in maturation of adipose tissue. However, whether
maternal dietary intake of these fatty acids during pregnancy is asso-
ciated with overweight in the child remains unclear.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship
between maternal intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids during pregnancy
and child BMI, waist circumference and risk of overweight at 7 years.
Method / Design:
A prospective cohort study of 30,185 mother-
child pairs from the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996-2002). Ma-
ternal dietary intake was assessed by a validated food frequency ques-
tionnaire in gestational week 25. At 7 years, children were followed
up by a questionnaire which included maternal report on the child’s
weight, height and waist circumference.
Results:
Maternal dietary intake of the most long-chained n-3
fatty acids eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA + DHA)
during pregnancy were significantly associated with lower BMI z-
score, smaller waist circumference and lower risk of overweight in
girls (odds ratio (95% confidence interval)) for highest versus lowest
quintile of intake: 0.76 (0.64; 0.91). Similar, relations were seen for
intake of the most long-chained n-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA)
and outcomes in girls. Although directionality was the same as for
girls we observed non-significant association between maternal fatty
acid intake and anthropometric measures in boys at 7 years.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that maternal intake of
both EPA+DHA and AA during pregnancy may reduce the risk of
overweight at 7 years of age in girls
Poly-unsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 and n-6 fa-
milies are involved in maturation of adipose tissue. However, whether
maternal dietary intake of these fatty acids during pregnancy is asso-
ciated with overweight in the child remains unclear.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship
between maternal intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids during pregnancy
and child BMI, waist circumference and risk of overweight at 7 years.
Method / Design:
A prospective cohort study of 30,185 mother-
child pairs from the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996-2002). Ma-
ternal dietary intake was assessed by a validated food frequency ques-
tionnaire in gestational week 25. At 7 years, children were followed
up by a questionnaire which included maternal report on the child’s
weight, height and waist circumference.
Results:
Maternal dietary intake of the most long-chained n-3
fatty acids eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA + DHA)
during pregnancy were significantly associated with lower BMI z-
score, smaller waist circumference and lower risk of overweight in
girls (odds ratio (95% confidence interval)) for highest versus lowest
quintile of intake: 0.76 (0.64; 0.91). Similar, relations were seen for
intake of the most long-chained n-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA)
and outcomes in girls. Although directionality was the same as for
girls we observed non-significant association between maternal fatty
acid intake and anthropometric measures in boys at 7 years.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that maternal intake of
both EPA+DHA and AA during pregnancy may reduce the risk of
overweight at 7 years of age in girls
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 327 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism |
| Volume | 67 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
| Event | 12th European Nutrition Conference (FENS) - Berlin, Germany Duration: 20 Oct 2015 → 23 Oct 2015 Conference number: 12 |
Keywords
- pregnancy
- maternal diet
- polyunsaturated fatty acid
- offspring overweight