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The fetal programming of food preferences: current clinical and experimental evidence

Part of: Ibero-American DOHaD

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 September 2015

R. Dalle Molle Open the ORCID record for R. Dalle Molle [Opens in a new window] ,
A. R. Bischoff Open the ORCID record for A. R. Bischoff [Opens in a new window] ,
A. K. Portella  and
P. P. Silveira Open the ORCID record for P. P. Silveira [Opens in a new window]
R. Dalle Molle
Affiliation:
Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
A. R. Bischoff
Affiliation:
Programa de Residência Médica em Pediatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
A. K. Portella
Affiliation:
Departamento de Pediatria da Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
P. P. Silveira*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil Programa de Residência Médica em Pediatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
*
*Address for Correspondence: P. P. Silveira, Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Largo Eduardo Zaccaro Faraco, 90035-903 Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Email [email protected])
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Abstract

Increased energy consumption is one of the major factors implicated in the epidemic of obesity. There is compelling evidence, both clinical and experimental, that fetal paucity of nutrients may have programming effects on feeding preferences and behaviors that can contribute to the development of diseases. Clinical studies in different age groups show that individuals born small for their gestational age (SGA) have preferences towards highly caloric foods such as carbohydrates and fats. Some studies have also shown altered eating behaviors in SGA children. Despite an apparent discrepancy in different age groups, all studies seem to converge to an increased intake of palatable foods in SGA individuals. Small nutrient imbalances across lifespan increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases in adult life. Homeostatic factors such as altered responses to leptin and insulin and alterations in neuropeptides associated with appetite and satiety are likely involved. Imbalances between homeostatic and hedonic signaling are another proposed mechanism, with the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathway having differential reward and pleasure responses when facing palatable foods. Early exposure to undernutrition also programs hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, with SGA having higher levels of cortisol in different ages, leading to chronic hyperactivity of this neuroendocrine axis. This review summarizes the clinical and experimental evidence related to fetal programming of feeding preferences by SGA.

Keywords

feeding behaviorfetal programmingfood preferencesIUGR
Type
Review
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 7 , Issue 3: Themed Issue: Ibero-American DOHaD Society , June 2016 , pp. 222 - 230
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2015 

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Footnotes

†

These two authors contributed equally to the work.

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