Early years research is a fascinating area of science which looks at how environmental influences affect the growth and development of the embryo, the fetus, the infant, the child and the impact these have on adult they become.
There has already been much focus on the effect of environmental toxins such as smoking, drugs and alcohol during pregnancy on an unborn infant’s physiology and neurological development and these have been the subject of health promotion campaigns for many years.
Now understanding is growing about the influence of other environmental factors such as nutrition, physical activity and stress on the life-long health of the mother and her baby.
A groundswell of research shows us that healthy lifestyles during pregnancy and the early years can affect the metabolic, physiological and neurological development of a child, in particular their risk of developing non-communicable diseases later in life such as:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Asthma
- Some cancers.
In addition, these environmental factors may also influence the development of neurological pathways in the child's brain that control appetite regulation and taste preferences.
Further evidence also shows us that pregnancy complications and outcomes may be used as markers to predict a mother’s own future risk of metabolic or non-communicable diseases.14,15
Importantly, a growing body of evidence shows that a heathy lifestyle, particularly good nutrition and moderate physical activity during pregnancy and the early years, may help to improve or reverse certain diseases or conditions.
This developing area of research means that health practitioners now have a greater role in helping to prevent long-term disease by encouraging healthy lifestyle choices in discussions with their clients. Taking steps to ensure that mothers and infants benefit through healthy lifestyle choices is a vital strategy to help combat the world-wide growth in non-communicable diseases such as, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease1.
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