Fetal Programming of Obesity

The purpose of this study is to determine how the mother's health prior to or at the beginning of pregnancy may influence her child's growth and development. We plan to: 1) longitudinally and simultaneously assess a true measure of body composition (lean and fat mass) of the offspring, assess body composition of both parents, and obtain dietary intake data of the mother and offspring; 2) determine endocrine and metabolic profiles of the mother at baseline (pre-conception), during pregnancy and at birth (such as insulin, glucose, leptin); 3) determine the energy expenditure and physical activity of the mother and the child; 4) determine gene expression of the placenta and umbilical cord via gene microarray and real time PCR; and 5) focused on appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants (the majority of infants born from normal and overweight mothers).Accordingly, this study will provide much needed comprehensive information on the possible effect of fetal programming on the development of pediatric obesity.

Inclusion criteria

• healthy
• 21 years of age or older
• second pregnancy, singleton
• conceived without fertility treatments

Exclusion criteria

• Preexisting medical conditions
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Medical complications during pregnancy
• Medications during pregnancy known to influence fetal growth
• Smoking, alcohol drinking
• Excessive physical activity level which could affect the outcome of interest.