Investigating how obesity during pregnancy affects children’s future heart health

Insulin and hypoxia – key determinants in the programming of cardiovascular disease by maternal obesity

In the UK more than half of women of child-bearing age are overweight or obese. Carrying too much weight during pregnancy comes with short and long-term health risks for both the woman and the child. The children of women who were overweight or obese during pregnancy are more likely to develop diabetes and high blood pressure and, therefore, heart disease in later life. These researchers are experts in the field of developmental origins of health and disease, which investigates the idea that long-term wellbeing can be partially programmed by our health circumstances in the womb and in early life. Now, Professor Ozanne and her team are combining studies of maternal mouse biology, with measurements in a group of women and their children, to understand how obesity in pregnancy raises the risk of heart disease in their offspring. They will investigate, in obese pregnant mice, if and how exercise or dietary anti-oxidants could prevent the long-term negative health effects. The work will provide important insights into the best ways to help people prevent the effects of obesity during pregnancy on development of the baby's heart, and reduce the long-term risk of heart disease.