Developmental Origins of Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity in Humans

摘要

Fetal growth restriction and low weight gain in infancy are associated with an increased risk of adult cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome. The fetal origins of adult disease hypothesis proposes that these associations reflect permanent changes in metabolism, body composition and tissue structure caused by undernutrition during critical periods of early development. An alternative hypothesis is that both small size at birth and later disease have a common genetic aetiology. These two hypotheses are not mutually exclusive. In addition to low birthweight, fetal 'overnutrition' caused by maternal obesity and gestational diabetes leads to an increased risk of later obesity and type 3 diabetes. There is#