Undernourished Mothers Research Articles

Stress response to social isolation followed by exposure to a novel object in aged ewes born to undernourished mothers

Fetal programming by subnutrition affects offspring’s behaviour, metabolism, and sensitivity to stressors in sheep. The objective was to determine the stress response of ewes born to mothers nutritionally restricted during gestation to social isolation followed by exposure to a novel object. Twenty-six-year-old Corriedale ewes born to mothers who grazed high or low pasture allowances (HPA and LPA groups) from 23 days before conception until 122 days of gestation were used. Ewes were individually isolated in a novel place for 10 min, and 5 min after its beginning, an orange ball was dropped into the test pen. The ewes’ behaviours were recorded during the test. Blood proteins, glucose and cortisol concentrations, heart and respiratory rates and rectal and surface temperatures were determined. The number of times looking at the ball tended to be greater in HPA ewes than LPA (6.7 ± 1.0 vs 4.7 ± 0.8, P = 0.08). The LPA ewes had greater serum albumin concentration than HPA ewes (3.2 ± 0.1 g/dL vs 3.0 ± 0.1 g/dL, P = 0.02), regardless of the applied stressors. Overall, the nutritional treatments applied to ewes during their intrauterine development did not modify the stress responses to social isolation followed by exposure to a novel object.

Reproductive development of male lambs born to undernourished mothers supplemented or not with concentrate during gestation

Southern Patagonia offers harsh environmental and nutritional conditions for sheep pregnancy, which may compromise the fetal and postnatal development of lambs. The aim of the study was to compare the sexual behavior and attractiveness, and semen production and quality during the first year of life of ram lambs born to undernourished mothers grazing on natural pastures, supplemented or not with a concentrate. The study was performed under extensive Patagonian conditions, and a supplement was provided from day 44 of gestation until lambing. Twelve ram lambs born to supplemented ewes (group Sup) and 12 born to control underfed ewes (group Con) were used. Both groups of male lambs remained in a common paddock before and after weaning at 4 months-old. Sexual behavior and attractiveness, and semen production and quality of ram lambs were evaluated when they were 6 and 12 months-old. Sup lambs were heavier than Con at birth, and tended to maintain this difference when they were 4 mo-old; afterward, this difference disappeared. At 6 months-old, Con ram lambs displayed greater sexual activity when individually exposed to an estrous ewe, as well as a trend to a greater sperm concentration. Differences between groups in sexual behavior decreased at 12 months-old, and no differences were detected in seminal traits. In conclusion, supplementation of undernourished pregnant ewes with concentrate from mid-pregnancy until lambing slightly impacted the progeny reproductive performance when they were 6 months-old, an effect that was attenuated at 12 months-old. The effects of the nutritional status of pregnant ewes on the reproductive development of the offspring likely were compensated by a greater growth rate during early life before puberty.

The Effect of Breastfeeding Practices of Undernourished Mothers in Rural Sierra Leone on Infant Growth and Mortality.

Breastfeeding provides optimal infant nutrition; however, <50% of infants are exclusively breastfed (EBF) for 6 months. We aimed to describe breastfeeding practices and their effects on growth and mortality among a high-risk mother-infant cohort in rural Sierra Leone. This was a secondary analysis of data from a randomized nutrition intervention trial among undernourished pregnant women. The study's primary outcomes were infant weight and length gains at 6 weeks of age. We included 1270 singleton infants in the analysis, with 1092 (85.6%) having 24-week outcome data. At 6 weeks, 88% were EBF, but the rate of EBF decreased to 17% at 24 weeks. The EBF infants at 6 weeks had improved length (difference of 0.9 mm/week; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.3; p < 0.001) and weight (difference of 40 g/week; 95% CI 24 to 53; p < 0.001) gains compared to the non-EBF infants. At 12 weeks, the EBF infants had improved weight (difference of 12 g/week; 95% CI 2 to 22; p = 0.024) gain. The EBF infants had lower mortality than the infants who were not EBF (hazard ratio of 0.39; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.84; p = 0.017). In summary, the infants who were EBF had greater weight and length gain and reduced mortality than those who were not EBF. Efforts to improve breastfeeding should thus be prioritized to improve infant health.

Prevalence of Undernutrition Among Tribal Lactating Mothers in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Background In Andhra Pradesh, India, tribal communities face unique nutritional challenges due to limited access to healthcare and a predominantly plant-based diet. Maternal undernutrition is a significant concern, impacting the well-being of both mothers and their offspring. This study focuses on assessing the prevalence of undernutrition among tribal mothers in Andhra Pradeshusing the BMI-for-age criterion. Objectives The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence of undernutrition among tribal mothers, explore associations with demographic factors, and assess the impact of a nutritional intervention program. The ultimate goal was to contribute to targeted interventions and policies for improving the health and well-being of these communities. Materials and methods A cohort study was conducted in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, involving 340 lactating mothers and their infants. Data collection and anthropometric measurements were performed. Results The study found that 67 (19.71%) of tribal mothers were underweight at baseline. There were statistically significant associations with the Yenadi tribe, low educational status of the mother, and history of lower segment Caesarean section with a high prevalence of being underweight. No significant associations with age, occupation, or socioeconomic status were observed. Undernutrition was more common among mothers with older children and was associated with specific obstetric factors. Conclusion While the prevalence of undernutrition is lower than in some previous studies, it remains a critical concern, particularly within disadvantaged communities. These undernourished mothers face health risks, including anemia. Urgent policy interventions and nutritional programs are needed to address this issue and enhance the well-being of tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh.

Epidemiology of Maternal Nutritional Status and Risk of Adverse Birth Outcomes in Undernourished Mothers with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol.

In pregnancies complicated by sickle cell disease (SCD), the maternal-fetal dyad is at high risk for mortality and morbidity. In healthy pregnancies, maternal nutritional status is a critical factor for the healthy growth and development of the fetus. However, there are no reviews of the current research on the nutritional status of pregnant women with SCD and pregnancy outcomes. First, we aim to assess the burden of malnutrition in pregnant women with SCD. Next, we aim to systematically evaluate if pregnant women with SCD who have poor nutritional status are at increased risk for adverse birth outcomes compared to pregnant women with sickle cell disease and normal nutritional status. We will systematically search multiple electronic databases. Our exposure is pregnant women with SCD and poor nutritional status. The primary outcomes of interest include low birth weight (categorical) and birth weight z-scores (continuous). We will also evaluate maternal and perinatal outcomes as secondary outcomes. We will evaluate the risk of bias and overall certainty of evidence with Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I), and the overall evidence will be assessed using Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. We will pool findings with a meta-analysis if sufficient homogeneity exists among studies. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated to SCD advocacy groups. PROSPERO registration number: 429412.

Thermoregulatory, metabolic and stress responses to spring shearing of aged ewes born to undernourished mothers

Maternal undernutrition during gestation affects the behaviour, metabolism, and sensitivity to stressors of the offspring. Shearing is a stressor that triggers physiological and behavioural changes and augments the thermoregulatory demands in sheep. The aim of this study was to compare the thermoregulatory, metabolic, and behavioural responses to spring shearing of aged ewes born to mothers who grazed different pasture allowances during gestation. Nineteen non-gestating six-year-old Corriedale ewes born to mothers who grazed two pasture allowances from 23 days before conception until 122 days of gestation were used. The pasture allowance offered to the mothers was high [HPA group; n = 11; 10–12 kg of dry matter (DM)/100 kg of body weight (BW)/day] or low [LPA group: n = 8; 5–8 kg of DM/100 kg of BW/day]. The adult offspring of both experimental groups were sheared during spring (Day 0), and remained outdoors, grazing natural grassland, and the behaviour, the surface temperature and the rectal temperature were recorded. Blood concentrations of albumin, total protein, glucose, and insulin were also determined. Data were compared with a mixed model. The LPA ewes had lower ear and nose maximum and minimum surface temperatures before shearing (P < 0.05). On Day 15, the average surface temperature of the vulva was lower in LPA than in HPA ewes (P < 0.05). After shearing, rumination frequency was greater in HPA than in LPA ewes (P = 0.01), and LPA ewes were observed more time standing up than HPA ewes (P < 0.0001). Insulin concentration tended to be greater in LPA than HPA ewes (P = 0.06). Maternal undernutrition during gestation modified the thermoregulatory responses and the acute behavioural changes after shearing in aged female offspring, whilst the metabolism was affected to a lesser degree. The long-term effects noticed in this study highlight the importance of providing proper nutrition to pregnant ewes.

Malnutrition in mother-child dyads in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

Malnutrition affects billions of individuals worldwide and represents a global health challenge. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition (undernutrition or overweight) among mother-child dyads in children under 5 years old in Brazil in 2019 and to estimate changes in this prevalence from 2006 to 2019. Individual-level data from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019) and the Brazilian National Survey of Demography and Health of Women and Children carried out in 2006 (PNDS 2006) were analyzed. Malnutrition outcomes in mother-child dyads included overweight mother and child, undernourished mother and child, and the double burden of malnutrition, i.e., overweight mother and child having any form of undernourishment (stunting, wasting, or underweight). Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. Most women (58.2%) and 9.7% of the children were overweight, 6.9% were stunted, and 3.1% of mothers and 2.9% of the children were underweight. The prevalence of overweight in the mother-child dyad was 7.8% and was statistically higher in Southern Brazil (9.7%; 95%CI: 7.5; 11.9) than in the Central-West (5.4%; 95%CI: 4.3; 6.6). The prevalence of overweight mother and stunted child was 3.5%, with statistically significant difference between the extremes of the mother's education [0-7 vs. ≥ 12 years, 4.8% (95%CI: 3.2; 6.5) and 2.1%, (95%CI: 1.2; 3.0), respectively]. Overweight in the dyad increased from 5.2% to 7.8%, and the double burden of malnutrition increased from 2.7% to 5.2% since 2006. Malnutrition in Brazilian mother-child dyads seems to be a growing problem, and dyads with lower formal education, higher maternal age, and from the South Region of Brazil were more vulnerable.

Intrauterine malnutrition disrupts leptin and ghrelin milk hormones, programming rats.

Herein, we assessed milk hormones, the biochemical composition of milk, and its association with neonatal body weight gain and metabolic homeostasis in weaned rats whose mothers were undernourished in the last third of pregnancy. From the 14th day of pregnancy until delivery, undernourished mothers had their food restricted by 50% (FR50), whereas control mothers were fed ad libitum. The litter size was adjusted to eight pups, and rats were weaned at 22 days old. Milk and blood from mothers, as well as blood and tissues from pups, were collected for further analyses. At birth, FR50 pups were smaller than control pups, and they exhibited hyperphagia and rapid catch-up growth during the suckling period. On day 12, the milk from FR50 mothers had higher energy content, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and acylated ghrelin but lower leptin and corticosterone levels. Interestingly, FR50 mothers were hypoglycemic and hyperleptinemic at the end of the nursing period. Weaned FR50 pups had an obese phenotype and exhibited insulin resistance, which was associated with hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia; they also had high blood levels of total cholesterol, leptin, and acylated ghrelin. In addition, the protein expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in the hypothalamus was increased by almost 4-fold in FR50 pups. In summary, maternal calorie restriction during the last third of pregnancy disrupts energy and metabolic hormones in milk, induces pup hyperleptinemia and hyperghrelinemia, and upregulates their hypothalamic GHSR, thus suggesting that the hypothalamic neuroendocrine circuitry may be working to address the early onset of obesity.

Development of pups born to rats established as a model of underweight Japanese women and the onset of impaired glucose tolerance

An increasing number of Japanese women of childbearing age are underweight (BMI <18.5), but the association between this and the increased number of low-birth-weight babies born remains unclear. Here, a rat model was established to mimic the undernutrition (85% of the energy required for those with normal activity levels) experienced by such women and to evaluate the associated impaired glucose tolerance. The undernourished Wistar rat group showed increased serum corticosterone level reflecting stress, and greater adrenal weight and size. It also showed greater insulin resistance, higher expression of FOXO-1, a transcription factor related to muscle atrophy, and lower expression of p-Akt, an insulin-dependent signaling factor. Overall, this work shows the key role of undernutrition during pregnancy as a cause of impaired glucose tolerance and increased diabetes risk in offspring. The findings of this study may inform preemptive measures to prevent the development of metabolic syndrome in offspring of undernourished mothers.

Maternal Diet Influences Association of Gestational Weight Gain and Birth Weight Among Undernourished Mothers

Objective: Maternal nutrition intervention improves birth outcomes in undernourished but not in well-nourished populations. Therefore, objective was to examine its role in association of weight gain and pregnancy outcome in undernourished mothers. Design: Prospective study Setting:&nbsp; Obstetrics and Gynaecology out patients department of Rural Hospital Talegaon, Participants: Mothers (n=370) registering within 20 weeks of gestation were studied for socioeconomic variables, diet, anthropometric measurements and were followed up till delivery. Results: Mothers were undernourished with mean weight 45.9±7.3 kg, height150.8±6.1 cm and BMI 20.2±3.1kg/m2.&nbsp; In fact proportion of mothers below LBW risk cur off for weight (38Kg), height (&lt;145 cm) and BMI(18.5 kg/m2 ) was respectively 9.8 %, 8.6 % and 32.8%.&nbsp; Mothers in lower tertile of weight (&lt;42.5 Kg), BMI (&lt;18.5Kg/m2) body fat (&lt;21.8%) had babies with significantly lower birth weights with highest prevalence of LBW. &nbsp;Maternal BMI associated inversely with weight gain but positively with birth weight indicating that foetal growth was not benefitted fully by gained weight in undernourished mothers.&nbsp; Consumption of milk/milk products, fruits, non-vegetarian foods, dal and roti was associated with birth weight but not with weight gain. Comparison of mothers of LBW and normal weight babies within low (18.5 kg/m2) and high (≥21.1kg/m2) BMI groups showed that consumption of milk was discriminatory, indicating importance of proteins and micronutrients in facilitating foetal growth. Conclusion: Consumption of milk facilitated sparing of gained weight for foetal growth among undernourished mothers and promoting it could be a simple public health approach for prevention of LBW in rural India.

Child nutritional status as screening tool for identifying undernourished mothers: an observational study of mother–child dyads in Mogadishu, Somalia, from November 2019 to March 2020

BackgroundActive screening of only pregnant and lactating mothers (PLMs) excludes other mothers of reproductive age susceptible to undernutrition. Our analysis evaluated if mothers presenting with wasted children were more likely...

Low‐cost local food supplements could improve maternal and birth outcomes in Indonesia: A pilot randomised controlled trial

AbstractMaternal nutrition plays a crucial role in influencing foetal growth and birth outcomes. The government of Indonesia provides centrally distributed food supplements (GFS) for undernourished pregnant mothers. The aim of the study was to test whether low‐cost, local food supplements (LFS) for undernourished pregnant mothers can improve maternal and birth outcomes compared with the centrally distributed GFS. This study was a two‐arm, randomised controlled trial design. The baseline data were collected at enrolment. We enrolled 60 pregnant mothers from Demak District, Central Java Province, Indonesia with mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) &lt;23.5 cm who were assigned into two groups. The intervention group received LFS and multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS). The control group received the GFS and iron and folic acid supplements (IFA). LFS was a balanced energy protein food supplement made from peanuts, beans and fish. The effectiveness of these two interventions was assessed using logistic and linear regression. At baseline, the two groups had similar characteristics. After 60 days of treatment, compliance with the food and micronutrient supplements in the LFS group was 78.1% and 62.6% compared to 29.1% and 12.8% in the GFS group. After adjusting for baseline and the main covariates, mothers in the LFS group were more likely to increase MUAC (mean difference 0.60cm; 95% CI 0.27, 0.92) and to increase gestational weight (mean difference 1.02 kg; 95% CI 0.08, 1.97) than were mothers in the GFS group. For birth outcomes, the LFS group had a reduction in the risk of birthweight &lt;3000 g (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.15; 95% CI 0.02, 0.98), caesarean delivery (AOR 0.11; 95% CI 0.02, 0.60) and short birth length (AOR 0.07; 95% CI 0.01, 0.93) compared with the GFS group. Local foods and MMS supplementation can improve maternal and birth outcomes. Therefore, the provision of LFS can result in better compliance and better outcomes compared with centrally distributed GFS supplements.

The association between agricultural conditions and multiple dimensions of undernutrition in children 6-23 months of age in Burkina Faso

Background. The quality and quantity of food available to children affect their nutritional status, with implications for long-term health and development. In Burkina Faso, households rely on rainfed agriculture, but climate change is making crop production unreliable. We explore spatial patterns of growing season quality on dimensions of nutritional status and complementary feeding practices in children 6–23 months. Methods. The 2017 Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 (PMA2020) nutritional survey was spatially integrated with a contemporaneous remotely sensed drought indicator, the Water Requirement Satisfaction Index (WRSI), which captures local anomalous growing season conditions. Multi-level mixed-effects logistic regression models were estimated to explore the effects of WRSI on child mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) score (indicating malnutrition), and two components of complementary feeding practices, adjusting for demographic and household characteristics. Results. The data set included 1,721 children. Higher WRSI values (better agricultural conditions and crop performance) were associated with 3% lower odds of malnutrition (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.971; 95% confidence interval (CI): [0.942, 1.00]) and 7% higher odds of a child attaining minimum dietary diversity (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: [1.01, 1.14]). Undernourished mothers were significantly (p < 0.001) more likely to have an undernourished child. Minimum dietary diversity met for the child was protective against malnutrition; the association between WRSI and malnutrition persisted after adjustment. Conclusions. WRSI was associated with the child’s dietary diversity and malnutrition, highlighting the importance of seasonally and spatially varying local agricultural production and the relationship between growing season conditions and child nutritional status, with dietary diversity providing a potential mechanism for intervention.

Nutritional Status, Diet Diversity and Risk of Low Birth Weight Among Young Rural Indian Pregnant Women

ObjectivesTo assess the nutritional status, diet diversity in relation to the risk of low birth weight (LBW) among young rural mothers. MethodsFull term mothers (n = 174) registering ≤ 14 weeks of gestation at the ANC of primary health center in Pune, were enrolled. Information on socio-demographic profile and anthropometric measurements viz. weight, height, sitting height, head circumference, body fat and muscle mass at registration were recorded. Diet diversity was assessed through a 24-hr diet record using FAO questionnaire. Weight and length of the baby at birth were also recorded. ResultsMajority of mothers were undernourished (body mass index < 18.5kg/m2). Mean birth weight was 2649 ± 516g with a high prevalence (28.7%) of LBW. Significant risk for LBW was observed for mothers with poor nutritional status (weight – OR = 3.3; CI: 1.6–8.5, BMI -OR = 3.7; CI:1.5–8.9 and body fat - OR = 5.8; CI: 2.42–14.03) at registration. This risk was also associated with chronic maternal undernourishment (sitting height - OR = 3.90; CI: 1.6–9.1; small head circumference -OR = 3.5; CI: 1.6- 7.5). Low (≤3) diet diversity score was associated with high prevalence and risk (OR = 5.72; CI: 2.5–13) for LBW along with an increased risk for absence of foods like milk (OR = 6.9; CI:2–23.6), green leafy vegetables (OR = 5.18; CI:2.3–11.2), fruits (OR = 2.8; CI:1.3- 6.2) and eggs (OR = 15.6; CI: 2–118). These factors were significant even after adjusting for BMI (or body fat) indicating independent influence of maternal diet. ConclusionsOur findings highlight the importance of dietary diversification among undernourished mothers for better pregnancy outcome. Funding SourcesNo funding.

Maternal Undernutrition Modulates Neonatal Rat Cerebrovascular Structure, Function, and Vulnerability to Mild Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury via Corticosteroid-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms.

The present study explored the hypothesis that an adverse intrauterine environment caused by maternal undernutrition (MUN) acted through corticosteroid-dependent and -independent mechanisms to program lasting functional changes in the neonatal cerebrovasculature and vulnerability to mild hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury. From day 10 of gestation until term, MUN and MUN-metyrapone (MUN-MET) group rats consumed a diet restricted to 50% of calories consumed by a pair-fed control; and on gestational day 11 through term, MUN-MET groups received drinking water containing MET (0.5 mg/mL), a corticosteroid synthesis inhibitor. P9/P10 pups underwent unilateral carotid ligation followed 24 h later by 1.5 h exposure to 8% oxygen (HI treatment). An ELISA quantified MUN-, MET-, and HI-induced changes in circulating levels of corticosterone. In P11/P12 pups, MUN programming promoted contractile differentiation in cerebrovascular smooth muscle as determined by confocal microscopy, modulated calcium-dependent contractility as revealed by cerebral artery myography, enhanced vasogenic edema formation as indicated by T2 MRI, and worsened neurobehavior MUN unmasked HI-induced improvements in open-field locomotion and in edema resolution, alterations in calcium-dependent contractility and promotion of contractile differentiation. Overall, MUN imposed multiple interdependent effects on cerebrovascular smooth muscle differentiation, contractility, edema formation, flow-metabolism coupling and neurobehavior through pathways that both required, and were independent of, gestational corticosteroids. In light of growing global patterns of food insecurity, the present study emphasizes that infants born from undernourished mothers may experience greater risk for developing neonatal cerebral edema and sensorimotor impairments possibly through programmed changes in neonatal cerebrovascular function.

Undernutrition and Associated Factors Among School Adolescent Girls Attending Schools in Mirab-Armachiho District, Northwest Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Substantial proportions of adolescent girls are suffering from undernutrition; despite they are considered as future mothers. Undernourished mothers are more likely to give birth to an offspring with impaired growth and development. Hence, investigating adolescents’ undernutrition had a pivotal role to tackle the problem. Therefore, this study aimed to assess undernutrition and associated factors among adolescent girls in Mirabarmacho district, Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 20, 2018, in the Mirab Armachiho district, using the multistage cluster sampling method. A total of 706 adolescent girls was included in the study. The World Health Organization Anthro Plus software was used to calculate nutritional indices. A Binary Logistic Regression Analysis was used to check the effect of independent variables with adolescent wasting and stunting. The overall prevalence of wasting and stunting was 17.3% (95%CI: 14.6–20.1) and 10.3% (95%CI: 8.2–12.7), respectively. Being in the 10–14 years age group (AOR:2.47,95%CI:1.21–5.06), inadequate Dietary Diversity (Dietary Diversity Score) (AOR:2.46,95%CI:1.45–4.20),food-insecure households (Adjusted Odd Ratio:2.62,95%CI:1.33–5.16),middle wealth index(Adjusted Odd Ratio:1.94,95%CI:1.07–3.51), febrile illness (Adjusted Odd Ratio: 3.12,95%CI:1.94–5.03), diarrheal disease (AOR:3.61,95%CI:2.08–6.28), merchant fathers (Adjusted Odd Ratio:0.40, 95%CI:0.20–0.82),and government employee fathers (Adjusted Odd Ratio:0.27,95%CI:0.09–0.84) were factors significantly associated with thinness, while inadequate Dietary Diversity Score (Adjusted Odd Ratio: 8.07, 95%CI; 4.02–16.20) and febrile illness (Adjusted Odd Ratio; 2.49, 95%CI: 1.48–4.18) were factors relating to the adolescent stunting. Adolescent wasting and stunting are predominant problems in the survey region. Strengthening efforts to ensure household food security, diversified food intake, and prevention and control of infectious diseases are recommended to mitigate adolescent’s undernutrition.

The Relationship of Knowledge Level of Undernourished Mothers in Toddler Nutritional Pattern Intake in Ciledug Public health center

This study aims to determine the relationship between the level of knowledge of undernourished mothers in the nutritional pattern intake of children under five at Ciledug Health Center in 2019. This study uses primary data with quantitative research methods and cross sectional design and uses random sampling techniques. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between work, income, infectious diseases, utilization of health services and the level of maternal knowledge on the nutritional pattern intake of children under five.

Defective liver glycogen autophagy related to hyperinsulinemia in intrauterine growth-restricted newborn wistar rats

Maternal malnutrition plays a critical role in the developmental programming of later metabolic diseases susceptibility in the offspring, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Because the liver is the major organ that produces and supplies blood glucose, we aimed at defining the potential role of liver glycogen autophagy in the programming of glucose metabolism disturbances. To this end, newborns were obtained from pregnant Wistar rats fed ad libitum with a standard diet or 65% food-restricted during the last week of gestation. We found that newborns from undernourished mothers showed markedly high basal insulin levels whereas those of glucagon were decreased. This unbalance led to activation of the mTORC1 pathway and inhibition of hepatic autophagy compromising the adequate handling of glycogen in the very early hours of extrauterine life. Restoration of autophagy with rapamycin but not with glucagon, indicated no defect in autophagy machinery per se, but in signals triggered by glucagon. Taken together, these results support the notion that hyperinsulinemia is an important mechanism by which mobilization of liver glycogen by autophagy is defective in food-restricted animals. This early alteration in the hormonal control of liver glycogen autophagy may influence the risk of developing metabolic diseases later in life.

Intra-family differences in nutritional status between pre-school children and women

Background: National surveys have shown that in India even in families where women were normally nourished or over-nourished prevalence of under-nutrition in preschool children was high. The present study was taken up to assess the magnitude of intra-family differences in nutritional status between preschool children, their mothers and other women in the family and explore factors responsible for these differences.Methods: Nutritional status of pre-school children (height for age, weight for age and BMI for age) their mothers and other women (BMI) in urban low middle income group families were assessed. Intra-family differences in mother child pairs (4102); mother other women pairs (816); other woman and child pairs (981) and child-child pairs (941) were computed.Results: Stunting, underweight and wasting rates were higher in children of undernourished mothers as compared to normally nourished mothers. However even in children of over-nourished mothers stunting and underweight rates were high. If the elder child was stunted, underweight or wasted, the stunting, underweight and wasting rates in the younger children were higher. Prevalence of under-nutrition (BMI&lt;18.5) in mothers was lower and over-nutrition was higher in other women. Over-nutrition rates in other women were higher if the mother was over-nourished.Conclusions: In view of the substantial intra-family differences in nutritional status it is imperative to operationalize universal screening of all pre-school children and women for early detection of wasting and over-nutrition and initiate appropriate interventions.

Consumption of a high-fat diet does not potentiate the deleterious effects on lipid and protein levels and body development in rats subjected to maternal protein restriction.

Maternal undernutrition may cause injuries in several organs of the offspring, as well as lead to diseases in adulthood. Obesity and/or the consumption of a high-fat diet may also induce metabolic and cardiorespiratory diseases. We hypothesized that the consumption of a post-weaning high-fat diet would potentiate the deleterious effects of maternal protein undernutrition. This study evaluated the effects of the association of a low-protein diet during gestation and lactation with a post-weaning high-fat diet on the biochemical and ventilatory parameters of rats. Male Wistar rats from mothers who received a low-protein (9% of protein) or normoprotein diet during pregnancy and lactation received a high-fat (32% of total kilocalories from lipids) or a normal fat diet after weaning. Mass gain and somatic growth of the offspring were monitored. Also examined were biochemical chemical parameters and respiratory frequency, tidal volume (volume of air displaced in each normal respiratory cycle when extra effort is not applied), and pulmonary ventilation. Offspring from undernourished mothers presented lower birth weight (P=.0225), which remained until the end of lactation (P<.01). The rats that consumed high-fat diet and had been submitted to maternal undernutrition presented higher tidal volume when compared to the ones that consumed control diet at the 21st day of life (P˂.05). At 30 and 90days, no further ventilatory changes were observed. Our data show that the consumption of a high-fat diet post-weaning did not seem to potentiate the changes induced by maternal undernutrition.