The Role of Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency in Offspring Obesity: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Currently, vitamin D (VD) deficiency during pregnancy is widespread globally, causing unfavorable pregnancy outcomes for both mothers and infants for a longer time than expected, based on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory. As VD plays a key role in maintaining normal glucose and lipid metabolism, maternal VD deficiency may lead to obesity and other obesity-related diseases among offspring later in life. This review mainly focuses on the effect of maternal VD deficiency on offspring lipid metabolism, reviewing previous clinical and animal studies to determine the effects of maternal VD deficit on offspring obesity and potential mechanisms involved in the progression of offspring obesity. Emerging clinical evidence shows that a low VD level may lead to abnormal growth (either growth restriction or largeness for gestational age) and lipid and glucose metabolism disorders in offspring. Here, we also outline the link between maternal VD deficiency and life-long offspring effects, including the disorder of adipogenesis, the secretion of adipocytokines (including leptin, resistin, and adiponectin), activated systemic inflammation, increased oxidative reactions in adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and abnormal intestinal gut microbiota. Thus, there is an urgent need to take active steps to address maternal VD deficiency to relieve the global burden of obesity.

Investigating the relationship between vitamin-D deficiency and glycemia status and lipid profile in nondiabetics and prediabetics in Saudi population

“…Moreover, numerous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to B-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes. [4,5] Therefore, the global increase in vitamin D deficiency may be related to the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes.…”

Close Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet during Pregnancy Decreases Childhood Overweight/Obesity: A Prospective Study

“…These factors are believed to reduce susceptibility to childhood weight gain by positively influencing fetal glucose metabolism and fetal metabolic function [ 46 , 47 ] while also supporting a favorable neonatal microbiome [ 48 ]. Other studies indicate that maternal deficiency in micronutrients such as vitamin D [ 49 ], folate [ 50 ], and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids [ 51 ] during pregnancy, which is extremely prevalent, has the potential to indirectly impact offspring metabolic programming through epigenetic changes and to ultimately contribute to childhood obesity [ 35 ]. Conversely, maternal high-fat (especially saturated fat) diets also result in increased offspring adiposity by modifying DNA methylation and the gene expression of fetal hypothalamic appetite-related neurons and central reward system molecules, thus leading to alterations in appetite and energy metabolism in offspring [ 51 ].…”

The effect of maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy on glycolipid metabolism of offspring rats and the improvement of vitamin D intervention after weaning

“…Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is widespread worldwide, and as vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining normal glycolipid metabolism, the effect of maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy on glycolipid metabolism in offspring has aroused researchers’ attention. Emerging clinical evidence shows that maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may lead to abnormal growth (either low birth weight or largeness for gestational age) and lipid and glucose metabolism disorders in offspring ( 23 ). Some cohort studies showed that lower maternal vitamin D status was associated with higher triglyceride level in infant umbilical arterial blood ( 12 ), increased odds of overweight at the first year ( 24 ), greater fat mass at ages 4 and 6 years ( 13 , 18 ).…”

“…Up to now, however, relevant studies are few, and most of them focused on changes in early childhood, possibly due to follow-up time or confounding factors. Based on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory, the adverse health effects for their offspring may last longer than expected ( 23 ).Thus, taking advantage of animal experiments, we attempt to explore the long-term effects of maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy on glycolipid metabolism of offspring rats.…”