The Mediterranean diet and fetal size parameters: the Generation R Study

Abstract

Developmental adaptations due to early nutritional exposures may have permanent health consequences. Studies of diet and fetal size have mainly focused on individual nutrients despite evidence that the pattern of food consumption may be of significance. Hence, we evaluated the associations of dietary habits in early pregnancy (gestational age , 18 weeks) with fetal size, uteroplacental vascular resistance, placental weight and birth weight in a prospective observational study of 3207 Caucasian pregnant mothers in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Participants completed a semiquantitative FFQ during early pregnancy. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the occurrence of intra-uterine growth retardation at birth as a function of food intake. The derived solution was considered as the dietary pattern. As it was characterised by higher intakes of fruit, vegetables, vegetable oil, fish, pasta and rice, and lower intakes of meat, potatoes and fatty sauces, it was labelled the 'Mediterranean' diet. The degree of adherence to the diet was positively associated with plasma folate and serum vitamin B 12 concentrations and showed an inverse relationship with homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein plasma concentrations (P , 0·05). Important fetal size and placental parameters were associated with the degree of adherence to the diet, revealing a 72 g lower birth weight (95 % CI 2 110·8, 233·3) and a 15 g lower placental weight (95 % CI 2 29·8, 2 0·2) for women with low adherence to the diet. To conclude, low adherence to a Mediterranean diet in early pregnancy seems associated with decreased intra-uterine size with a lower placental and a lower birth weight.

The Impact of Kidney Development on the Life Course: A Consensus Document for Action

“…Healthy (traditionally based) dietary patterns during pregnancy, such as the New Nordic Diet [316] and Mediterranean diets [317], are associated with a lower risk of having an SGA infant, while a potential causal link between maternal consumption of “junk food” and having a large newborn has been identified [318]. The degree of Mediterranean diet adherence was positively associated not only with fetal size, but also with plasma folate and serum vitamin B 12 concentrations, and inversely correlated with uteroplacental vascular resistance, plasma homocysteine, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels [317].…”

“…The degree of Mediterranean diet adherence was positively associated not only with fetal size, but also with plasma folate and serum vitamin B 12 concentrations, and inversely correlated with uteroplacental vascular resistance, plasma homocysteine, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels [317]. Inverse relationships were also reported between adherence to the Mediterranean diet [319], and Prudent and Traditional diets [320], and preterm delivery risk.…”

Low Adherence to Mediterranean Diet in Portugal: Pregnant Women Nutrition in Portugal and its Repercussions

“…1,[7][8][9] Some of these and other benefits have been linked to very early nutrition and may even trace back to pregnancy. 6,[10][11][12] The timeframe of the first 1,000 days of life between the first day of gestation and the offspring's second anniversary represents a critical window in which overweight programming takes place and probably the best opportunity to prevent obesity and shape a healthier future. 13 The spread of the obesity epidemic to many Mediterranean countries warrants urgent action to be taken to retrieve traditional Mediterranean dietary habits and promote healthy lifestyles, including involvement of the scientific community, health care providers, public, and policy-makers.…”

Factors associated with a low adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern in healthy Spanish women before pregnancy

“…At present, a number of benefits of the Mediterranean diet are acknowledged, specifically with regard to mortality from all causes (7,8) , CVD (9)(10)(11)(12) , type 2 diabetes mellitus (13)(14)(15) and obesity (4,6) , as well as some types of cancer including breast, endometrial, ovary and prostate cancer (16)(17)(18)(19) , according to the results of many epidemiological studies and clinical trials. In addition, there are known benefits of the Mediterranean diet on pregnancy outcomes (20)(21)(22) . *Corresponding author: Email jjmoleon@ugr.es r The Authors 2013…”