In Overweight or Obese Pregnant Women, Maternal Dietary Factors are not Associated with Fetal Growth and Adiposity

Abstract

The aim of our study was to evaluate associations between maternal dietary factors and fetal growth and adiposity in overweight and obese women. Women randomised to the ‘Standard Care’ group of the LIMIT trial were included. Maternal dietary factors including Healthy Eating Index, total energy, fat, carbohydrates, protein, glycaemic load and index were measured using the Harvard semi-quantitative Food Frequency questionnaire at time of study entry, 28 and 36 weeks’ gestation. Fetal ultrasound measurements of biometry and adiposity were obtained at 28 and 36 weeks’ gestation. Linear regression models were used to associate between dietary factors and fetal growth and adiposity measurements. There were 721 women included in this exploratory analysis. A 10 unit increase in the log total energy was associated with a reduction in mid-thigh lean mass by 4.94 mm at 28 weeks (95% CI −9.57 mm, −0.32 mm; p = 0.036) and 7.02 mm at 36 weeks (95% CI −13.69 mm, −0.35 mm; p = 0.039). A 10 unit increase in Healthy Eating Index score was associated with a reduced mean subscapular skin fold measure at 28 weeks by 0.17 mm (95% CI −0.32 mm, −0.03 mm; p = 0.021). We did not identify consistent associations between maternal diet and measures of fetal growth and adiposity in overweight and obese women.

Influence of Adipose Tissue on Early Metabolic Programming: Conditioning Factors and Early Screening

“…Overall, there was no difference between the intervention group compared to the control group who simply received standard care during pregnancy with respect to children's body mass index (BMI) at 5 years of age. These results are supported by other studies that also intervened on groups of overweight or obese mothers and found no consistent associations between maternal diet and fetal adiposity [54].…”

Early Appearance of Epicardial Adipose Tissue through Human Development

“…Epidemiological studies report that the timing of maternal nutrient restriction has a major influence on outcome in terms of predisposing the resulting offspring to adult obesity [ 45 ]. Nevertheless, there are some discussions about this point because some authors do not identify consistent associations between maternal diet and measures of fetal growth and adiposity in overweight and obese women [ 46 ].…”

Developmental overnutrition and obesity and type 2 diabetes in offspring

“…A pooled analysis of two cohorts (Project Viva in the USA and the Rhea cohort in Greece) found that adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern during mid-pregnancy predicted lower BMI, waist circumference and skinfold thicknesses in offspring across childhood [89]. Yet, a recent study of 721 overweight/obese pregnant women reported no consistent relationship of diet quality indicators, including the HEI, carbohydrate and protein intake and total energy intake, with fetal ultrasound measurements of adiposity at 28-36 weeks' gestation [90]. While the utility of fetal ultrasounds for assessing neonatal adiposity requires validation, these findings suggest the importance of maternal pre-pregnancy weight status beyond that of diet during pregnancy.…”