Perinatal nutrition, appetite, and food preferences can be influenced by factors during pregnancy and lactation. Maternal diet can impact the fetal development of brain regions involved in appetite control and food reward processing. This early nutritional environment may induce long-lasting changes to gene expression and appetite neurocircuitry through epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation. As such, maternal consumption of high fat, salty, or palatable "junk foods" during this critical window has been linked to offspring developing stronger preferences for and greater intake of these foods later in life. Personalized nutrition approaches may help encourage healthy maternal dietary behaviors with potential lifelong benefits to offspring.
Perinatal Nutrition, Appetite And Food Preferences
1. Perinatal Nutrigenomics
Nutrition, Appetite and
Personalized
and Food Preferences Nutrition
Alejandra Ponce Garza
Itxaso Vázquez Varona
2. DEFINITIONS
Appetite:
The natural instinctive desire for food.
It should be distinguished from hunger (need for food)
Food Preferences :
Prefer one food to another.
Perinatal nutrition :
Nutrition that happens pertaining to the period immediately before and after birth
Starts: 20 th -28 th week of gestation
Ends: 1-4 weeks after birth.
Itxaso Vázquez Varona * Alejandra Ponce Garza
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MSc. Nutrigenomics and Personalized Nutrition
3. BACKGROUND
1.Bellinger, Leanne, and Simon C. Langley -
Evans. "Fetal Programming of Appetite by
Exposure to Maternal Low-protein Diet in the
Rat." Clinical Science 109 (2005): 413-20. Print.
2. Brion, M.-J. A., A. R. Ness, I. Rogers, P.
Emmett, V. Cribb, G. Davey Smith, and D. A.
Lawlor. "Maternal Macronutrient and Energy
Intakes in Pregnancy and Offspring Intake at 10
Y: Exploring Parental Comparisons and Prenatal
Effects." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
91.3 (2010): 748-56. Print.
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4. BACKGROUND (1)
Epidemiological observations of associations
between early life nutrition and long-term
disease risk have prompted detailed
experimental investigation of the biological
basis of programming.
Animal experiments
Human interventions:
Global food restriction determine a consistent
Protein restriction cluster of disorders
in the resulting offspring
Micronutrient restriction
Excess fat feeding
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MSc. Nutrigenomics and Personalized Nutrition
5. BACKGROUND (2)
Maternal macronutrient (carbohydrate, fat, and protein) and
energy intakes potentially influence fetal growth and
program future appetite
Encouraging pregnant women to engage in healthy dietary
behaviors may be of benefit to the development of the fetus
and to later dietary habits of their children.
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6. MECHANISMS
1. Langley-Evans, Simon C., Leanne Bellinger, and
Sarah McMullen. "Animal Models of Programming:
Early Life Influences on Appetite and Feeding
Behaviour." Maternal and Child Nutrition 1 (2005):
142-48
2. Vucetic, Z., J. Kimmel, K. Totoki, E. Hollenbeck, and T.
M. Reyes. "Maternal High-Fat Diet Alters Methylation
and Gene Expression of Dopamine and Opioid-
Related Genes." Endocrinology 151.10 (2010): 4756-
764. Print
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7. APPETITE: MOLECULAR BASIS (1)
Persistent hyperphagic state in animals
exposed to:
Fetal undernutrition
Early postnatal overfeeding
Non-optimal nutrition at critical phases of
development may promote
1. Adaptive responses
2. Modification of the structures of key
hypothalamic nuclei responsible for appetite
control.
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8. APPETITE: MOLECULAR BASIS (1)
Exposure of the rat fetus to
a low protein diet modifies
vascularization of the
cerebral cortex.
Bennis-Taleb et al (1999) Offsrping of rats fed with
low protein diet: Increased
Rats fed low protein diets neural density in the PVN
throughout gestation and and VMN, with fewer NPY
lactation showed differences and CCK neurons.
in whole brain volume and Langley-Evans et al (2005)
volume of the
paraventricular and
ventromedial nuclei of the
hypothalamus.
Plagemann et al., (2000)
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9. APPETITE.: MOLECULAR BASIS (1)
Structural adaptations
Permanently predispose
the animal to increased
appetite
Gene microarray
studies indicate that
the expression of a
relatively narrow
profile of genes in the
hypothalamus is
programmed by fetal
exposure to a maternal
low protein diet Langley-Evans, Simon C., Leanne Bellinger, and Sarah McMullen. "Animal
Models of Programming: Early Life Influences on Appetite and Feeding
Behaviour." Maternal and Child Nutrition 1 (2005): 142-48
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10. MECHANISMS AND DNA (2)
Human study: n=4000
Hypothesis:
Molecules that participate in regulating consumption of
palatable foods (dopamine and opioids) maybe altered in
offspring from mothers fed a HF diet.
Mechanisms: Maternal consumption of HF diet would alter
DNA methylation either globally or within the promoter
regions of dopamine- and opioid-related genes.
The study examines the potential underlying
mechanisms linking maternal consumption of HF
diet to adverse offspring development.
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11. MECHANISMS AND DNA (2)
HF diet during pregnancy and
lactation associated with
altered expression:
Opioid receptor
The opiate ligand preproenkephalin,
Genes specifically linked to the intake
of palatable foods.
Epigenetic modification
(promoter region
hypomethylation) as a
potential mechanism for
increased long-term
expression of dopamine and
opioid-related genes
(DAT, MOR, and PENK) Vucetic, Z., J. Kimmel, K. Totoki, E. Hollenbeck, and T. M. Reyes. "Maternal High-
Fat Diet Alters Methylation and Gene Expression of Dopamine and Opioid-
Related Genes." Endocrinology 151.10 (2010): 4756-764. Print
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12. MECHANISMS AND DNA (2)
Decreased methylation of the promoter region of
GH secretagogue receptor.
Effect persisting into at least the second generation
suggesting the possibility that our observed epigenetic
effects on dopamine and opioid gene expression may extend
beyond the F1 generation.
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13. SALTY
1. Prenatal imprinting of postnatal specific appetites and
feeding behavior. Stylianos Nicolaïdis. Metabolism Clinical
and Experimental 57 (Suppl 2) (2008) S22–S26
2. Crystal SR, Bernstein IL. Morning sickness: impact on
offspring salt preference. Appetite 1995;25:231-40.
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14. APPETITE FOR SALTY (1,2)
Sodium appetite increases in response to
hypovolemic and hypoosmotic deficits.
When these deficits recur, hypernatriophilia
develops.
Hypernatriophilia:
Hypothesis that extracellular dehydration imposed
on a pregnant rat could bring about
hypernatriophilia in its offspring when they reach
adulthood.
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15. APPETITE FOR SALTY (1,2)
Hypothesis was successfully verified by
Crystal and Bernstein
cohort of 169 students: reported higher salt use were
precisely the ones whose mothers had experienced
vomiting during pregnancy.
Kochli and coworkers.
Curtis and associates have shown in the rat that
manipulations of dietary NaCl levels during
gestation and the early postnatal period lead to
persistent changes both in “need-free” and
stimulated NaCl intake by adult rats.
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16. FLAVORS
1. Trout, K. K., and L. Wetzel -Effinger. "Flavor
Learning in Utero and Its Implicat ions for Future
Obesity and Diabetes." Current Diabetes Reports 12.1
(2012): 60+. Print.
2. Mennella, J. A., C. P. Jagnow, and G. K. Beauchamp.
"Prenatal and Postnatal Flavor Learning by Human
Infants." Pediatrics 107.6 (2001): E88
3. Mannella, J. A., C. E. Griffi n, and G. K. Beauchamp.
"Flavor Programming During Infanc y." Pediatrics 113.4
(2004): 840-45. Print.
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17. FLAVORS (1,3)
Flavors in the mother diet Amniotic fluid.
Amniotic fluid swallowed by the fetus.
PREFERENCES.
Persisten during infancy Childhood Adulthood
Early exposure to different flavors can lead
to increased acceptance of and preferences
for these flavors in later life.
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18. FLAVORS (3)
Hydrolyzed
protein formulas.
Mannella, J. A., C. E. Griffin, and G. K. Beauchamp. "Flavor Programming During
Infancy." Pediatrics 113.4 (2004): 840-45. Print.
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19. FLAVORS (2)
First experimental study that demonstrates that
prenatal flavor experiences enhances the
acceptances and enjoyment of similarly flavored
foods during weaning.
Groups: 46 women. Drank 300ml
Pregnancy Lactation
1 - CW Carrot Juice Water
2 - WC Water Carrot Juice
3 - WW Water Water
Babies: CW weaning period enjoyment of
carrot-flavored cereal.
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20. JUNK FOOD
1. Bayol, Stéphanie A., Samantha J. Farrington, and
Neil C. Stickland. "A Maternal ‘junk Food’ Diet in
Pregnancy and Lactation Promotes an Exacerbated
Taste for ‘junk Food’ and a Greater Propensity for
Obesity in Rat Offspring." British Journal of Nutrition
98.04 (2007). Print.
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21. JUNK FOOD (1)
Bayol, Stéphanie A., Samantha J. Farrington, and Neil C. Stickland. "A Maternal ‘junk Food’ Diet in Pregnancy
and Lactation Promotes an Exacerbated Taste for ‘junk Food’ and a Greater Propensity for Obesity in Rat
Offspring." British Journal of Nutrition 98.04 (2007). Print
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22. A maternal junk food diet before weaning
promotes an exacerbated preference for junk
food and leads to a greater propensity for
obesity in the offspring.
Palatability
Protection against hyperphagia when mother
was fed –at some point- with a control diet.
JUNK
JJJ
FOOD
CCJ
(1)
JCJ
CCC JJC JCC
Bayol, Stéphanie A., Samantha J. Farrington, and Neil C. Stickland. "A Maternal ‘junk Food’ Diet in Pregnancy and Lactation
Promotes an Exacerbated Taste for ‘junk Food’ and a Greater Propensity for Obesity in Rat Offspring." British Journal of
Nutrition 98.04 (2007). Print
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MSc. Nutrigenomics and Personalized Nutrition
23. JUNK FOOD (1)
Palatability
Major role in
appetite regulation.
Inhibit the satiety
signal while
promoting hunger
and stimulating the
reward centres.
Bayol, Stéphanie A., Samantha J. Farrington, and Neil C. Stickland. "A Maternal ‘junk
Food’ Diet in Pregnancy and Lactation Promotes an Exacerbated Taste for ‘junk Food’
and a Greater Propensity for Obesity in Rat Offspring." British Journal of Nutrition
98.04 (2007). Print
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24. JUNK FOOD (1)
Lactation: important
period for the
programming of an
exacerbated intake of
junk food.
Key role in influencing
long-term appetite.
Milk intake and
composition might be key
regulators of the
development and
maturation of the central Bayol, Stéphanie A., Samantha J. Farrington, and Neil C. Stickland. "A
Maternal ‘junk Food’ Diet in Pregnancy and Lactation Promotes an
and peripheral control of Exacerbated Taste for ‘junk Food’ and a Greater Propensity for Obesity in
appetite. Rat Offspring." British Journal of Nutrition 98.04 (2007). Print
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25. PALATABILITY
1. Langley-Evans , Simon C., Leanne Bellinger, and
Sarah McMullen . "Animal Models of Programming:
Early Life Influences on Appetite and Feeding
Behaviour." Maternal and Child Nutrition 1 (2005):
142-48
2. Vucetic , Z., J. Kimmel, K. Totoki, E. Hollenbeck, and
T. M. Reyes. "Maternal High -Fat Diet Alters
Methylation and Gene Expression of Dopamine and
Opioid-Related Genes." Endocrinology 151.10
(2010): 4756-764. Print
3. Teegarden , S.l., A.n. Scott, and T.l. Bale. "Early Life
Exposure to a High Fat Diet Promotes Long -ter m
Changes in Dietary Preferences and Central Reward
Signaling." Neuroscience 162.4 (2009): 924-32. Print
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26. HIGH-FAT FOOD (1)
First evidence of
perturbation of the
nutritional
environment in utero:
12 week old female
offspring of rats fed with
low-protein diet during
gestation and lactation
preferred a high-fat diet
over a high-protein or a
high-carbohydrate diet. Langley-Evans, Simon C., Leanne Bellinger, and Sarah McMullen. "Animal Models
of Programming: Early Life Influences on Appetite and Feeding Behaviour."
Maternal and Child Nutrition 1 (2005): 142-48
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27. HIGH-FAT AND HIGH-
CARBOHYDRATE FOOD (2)
Effect of HF diet and/or maternal obesity on
hypothalamic neuropeptides that affect food intake
Increased expression of NPY, AgRP, NPY Y1 receptor, and
MC4Rand, more consistently, an increase in POMC.
Increase neurogenesis, specifically neurons that express
galanin, enkephalin, dynorphin, orexin, and MCH
Differential expression of dopamine- related genes in the
nucleus accumbens (NAc).
Little examination of circuitry outside the hypothalamus
Animal studies have shown that maternal
consumption of a palatable diet can increase the
preference for fat and sugar in the offspring
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28. HIGH-FAT AND HIGH-
CARBOHYDRATE FOOD (3)
Examination of the effects of early life exposure to
a high fat diet on adult macronutrient preferences
in mice:
Mice were exposed to a high fat diet for one week, from postnatal days
21-28:
The time during which they begin to consume solid food and are no
longer dependent on the dam for nutrition
Hypothalamic development is complete,
In a 10-day macronutrient choice preference test, high fat diet early -
exposed mice showed
A significantl y greater preferenc e for a high fat diet as adults
No differenc es in total daily caloric intake or weight gain during the
macronutrient choice preference period
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29. HIGH-FAT AND HIGH-
CARBOHYDRATE FOOD (3)
Possible mechanisms:
Reduced dopamine signal transmission in the
ventral striatum in these mice may result in an
increased preference for the high fat diet in an
attempt to normalize dopamine levels.
Exposure to a palatable, high fat diet during early
life may lead to long-term reprogramming of the
reward system,
Risk for maladaptive eating habits
Risk for disorders of the reward system.
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MSc. Nutrigenomics and Personalized Nutrition
30. CONTRADICTION
1. Bellinger, Leanne, and Simon C. Langley -
Evans. "Fetal Programming of Appetite by
Exposure to Maternal Low -protein Diet in the
Rat." Clinical Science 109 (2005): 413-20.
Print.
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MSc. Nutrigenomics and Personalized Nutrition
31. LOW-PROTEIN HIGH-FAT FOOD (1)
Low protein diets:
LP-Early: 0-7 day of gestation
LP-Medium: 8-14 day gestation
LP-Late: 15-22 day of gestation
At 4 weeks of age: offspring
were weaned on to standard
chow diet.
At 12 weeks of age, two
male and two female
offspring from each litter
were self-selection diet
protocol to assess appetite
and food preferences.
Bellinger, Leanne, and Simon C. Langley-Evans. "Fetal Programming of
Appetite by Exposure to Maternal Low-protein Diet in the Rat." Clinical
Science 109 (2005): 413-20. Print.
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MSc. Nutrigenomics and Personalized Nutrition
32. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
Guidelines for nutrition during pregnancy and
lactation Flavors.
Infant formulas Flavors
Investigate more about mechanisms.
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