Tag: Fetal programming

Poor fetal growth or stunting in the first two years of life leads to irreversible damage, including shorter adult height, lower education, and reduced income. The repercussions of prenatal malnutrition can extend well beyond birth, influencing an individual's health trajectory for their entire lifespan and even impacting future generations.

Studies have shown that periods of famine can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases in later life for those exposed in utero, suggesting a powerful link between nutrition and gene expression. This phenomenon is driven by how malnutrition affects the epigenetic system, modifying gene activity without changing the DNA sequence itself. These modifications can influence health outcomes across an individual's lifespan and potentially affect future generations.