ABSTRACT
The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) is a burgeoning field of research that suggests that perturbations occurring during critical periods of early life play a significant role in shaping a person’s long-term risk of obesity and negative health outcomes [2]. Although the concept of “developmental programing” most commonly refers to adverse exposures during intrauterine life, factors at the time of conception have also been implicated. As the opening quote suggests, parental health status before conception may powerfully shape child health and obesity risk. This chapter reviews prenatal exposures that may increase a child’s long-term susceptibility to obesity and adverse health outcomes. We consider several potential prenatal risk factors, including poor maternal health status, complications during pregnancy (e.g., gestational diabetes, hyperglycemia), gestational weight gain (GWG; excessive or inadequate), prenatal nutrition, activity, smoking, and other potentially adverse exposures. Our review draws primarily from observational studies in humans. Other chapters review epigenetic mechanisms (Chapter 14), environmental factors (Chapters 19 and 20), and intervention research using life course prevention approaches (Chapters 32 and 33).
