Effect of maternal lifestyle on children's neurological development:
This study by a team of pediatricians and neurologists from the University of Turku (Finland) reaffirms the importance not only of the health of the mother for the healthy development of infants and young children, but also the influence of her lifestyle on the neurological development of the child. The study, published in the journal Pediatric Research, reveals, among other findings, that gestational diabetes can thus have adverse effects on the neurological development of children at the age of 2 years.
A healthy maternal diet, on the other hand, supports the neurological development of the child.
In summary, the health and lifestyle of the mother during pregnancy are important regulators of the neurological development of the child.
diet quality index and food questionnaires:
The mother-infant study examined how maternal gestational diabetes, obesity and diet during pregnancy affect the neurological development of 2-year-old children. The researchers followed the development of cognitive, language and motor skills of small children. The study took into account maternal adiposity and gestational diabetes diagnosed by an oral glucose tolerance test. Dietary intake during pregnancy was assessed using a diet quality index and dietary questionnaires. The analysis finds:
- neurological development of the participating children, on average, within the normal range;
- at age 2, children whose mothers have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes have poorer language skills;
- Maternal body fat is associated with lower language skills and cognitive and motor abilities in children.
Improve the quality of mother's diet and better language development of the child:
What mechanism from mother to child? Gestational diabetes and obesity, especially high body fat, adversely affect the mother's metabolism and increase inflammation in the body. These are the probable mechanisms by which these factors also have an impact on the neurological development of the child. Maternal diet during pregnancy can therefore also have an impact on the neurological development of the child: the study confirms this by noting that a better quality of the mother's diet was associated with better language development in the child. 'child.
Maternal fish consumption in particular is associated with better cognitive abilities in children, certainly due to the unsaturated fatty acids present in fish.
The need for a good diet and a healthy lifestyle in women of childbearing age:
The team thus reaffirms the importance of a good diet and a healthy lifestyle in women of childbearing age, as a healthy and complete diet during pregnancy can be particularly beneficial for the neurological development of the Child- especially if the mother is diabetic or suffers from obesity.
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pregnancy