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Nutrients
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Maternal Diet, Body Composition and Offspring Health
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Maternal Diet, Body Composition and Offspring Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 July 2025 | Viewed by 3080

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Irene Cetin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Mother, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
2. Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy
Interests: pregnancy; maternal nutrition; perinatal programming; intrauterine growth; placental diseases; maternal immunization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francesca Parisi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Mother, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
2. Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy
Interests: pregnancy; maternal diet; maternal lifestyle; fetal programming; intrauterine growth; placental diseases
Dr. Chiara Lubrano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
1. Nutritional Sciences, Doctoral Programme (PhD), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy
2. Department of Mother, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
Interests: pregnancy; maternal diet; maternal lifestyle; fetal programming; intrauterine growth; placental diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maternal diet and body composition significantly impact the pregnancy outcome and the short- and long-term health status of the offspring. During pregnancy, adequate and balanced nutrition is crucial for fetal development, affecting placental function, the growth trajectory and organ development. Maternal body composition, including pre-gestational weight, weight gain and lean/fat mass during pregnancy, also plays a crucial role. Both maternal underweight and obesity may lead to adverse outcomes including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, preterm birth and higher long-term risk for the offspring. Epigenetics is an emerging science that looks at key mechanisms through which maternal diet and body composition affect offspring health. Nutritional and environmental factors can modify gene expression, potentially leading to long-lasting health consequences in neonates, including an increased risk of non-communicable diseases. In this context, a balanced diet, regular physical activity and appropriate weight management during pregnancy are essential to reduce maternal and fetal complications.

This Special Issue will focus on maternal nutrition and body composition and their impact on the offspring’s health status, as well as strategies to prevent long-term disorders.

We welcome manuscripts on the following topics:

  • The association between maternal nutritional intake, health status, body composition, intrauterine development and the pregnancy outcome;
  • The association between maternal nutrition and risk of the onset of chronic disease in the adult offspring;
  • The impact of maternal nutritional intake, health status and body composition on gene expression, epigenetic mechanisms and the increased risk of non-communicable disease;
  • Nutritional interventions to improve feto-maternal health and prevent short- and long-term adverse outcomes.

Submissions that explore aspects of this broad topic, including emerging technologies in the field, are also encouraged. We invite researchers and nutrition experts to submit their original research studies, review articles and communications related to this important health domain.

Prof. Dr. Irene Cetin
Dr. Francesca Parisi
Guest Editors

Dr. Chiara Lubrano
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pregnancy
  • maternal nutrition
  • fetal programming
  • epigenetics
  • lactation and neonatal growth
  • offspring health

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1557 KiB  
Article
CastelLact Project: Exploring the Nutritional Status and Dietary Patterns of Pregnant and Lactating Women—A Comprehensive Evaluation of Dietary Adequacy
by Carmen I. Sáez Lleó, Carla Soler, Jose M. Soriano and Nadia San Onofre
Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2705; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162705 - 14 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1342
Abstract
Promoting optimal nutrition in pregnant and lactating women is crucial for maternal and infant health. This study evaluated their nutritional status and dietary habits, assessing macro and micronutrient intake based on recommendations. A descriptive study with Spanish participants examined social, obstetric, dietary, and [...] Read more.
Promoting optimal nutrition in pregnant and lactating women is crucial for maternal and infant health. This study evaluated their nutritional status and dietary habits, assessing macro and micronutrient intake based on recommendations. A descriptive study with Spanish participants examined social, obstetric, dietary, and anthropometric data using quantitative and qualitative methods. The analysis of fatty acids by gas chromatography revealed significant variability, with notable deviations in specific fatty acids like C:10:0 and C:12:0. Despite some differences, the overall composition aligns with standards. During pregnancy, 53.8% consumed five meals/day. Grilling (92.3%) and baking (76.9%) were common. Food consumption frequency differed from recommendations. Lactating mothers’ mean energy intake was 2575.88 kcal/day ± 730.59 standard deviation (SD), with 45% from carbohydrates and 40% from lipids, including 37.16 g ± 10.43 of saturated fatty acids. Diets during pregnancy lacked fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and cereals. Lactating mothers partially met nutritional objectives, with an energy distribution skewed towards lipids and deficiencies in calcium, iodine, vitamin D, E, and folic acid. Promoting proper nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is essential to safeguard health and prevent chronic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Diet, Body Composition and Offspring Health)
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Review

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14 pages, 558 KiB  
Review
Gestational Weight Gain as a Modifiable Risk Factor in Women with Extreme Pregestational BMI
by Chiara Lubrano, Federica Locati, Francesca Parisi, Gaia Maria Anelli, Manuela Wally Ossola and Irene Cetin
Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040736 - 19 Feb 2025
Viewed by 207
Abstract
The global rise in obesity presents serious concerns, particularly due to its association with pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and fetal macrosomia. Maternal obesity also contributes to intergenerational health risks, increasing the likelihood of long-term issues in offspring. Preconception [...] Read more.
The global rise in obesity presents serious concerns, particularly due to its association with pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and fetal macrosomia. Maternal obesity also contributes to intergenerational health risks, increasing the likelihood of long-term issues in offspring. Preconception counseling is an essential preventive measure to reduce complications; however, many women miss this opportunity due to unplanned pregnancies. This study explores the impact of pregestational body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) on pregnancy outcomes, underscoring the importance of routine monitoring of these parameters. Existing studies identify both BMI and GWG as independent risk factors for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, with elevated BMI combined with excessive GWG posing an even greater risk. Specifically, a BMI > 30 kg/m2 doubles the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and cesarean delivery. Additionally, a review of national and international guidelines highlights a lack of consensus on managing gestational weight gain in women with obesity, particularly regarding antepartum surveillance and timing of delivery. Similarly, no specific guidelines have been established for underweight pregnant women. Additionally, few studies have thoroughly assessed the maternal and fetal risks associated with underweight during pregnancy. Despite this, numerous studies have highlighted an increased risk of preterm birth (PTB) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. This narrative review emphasizes the need for further research to develop tailored guidelines for managing pregnant women based on pregestational BMI, ultimately improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Diet, Body Composition and Offspring Health)
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15 pages, 2394 KiB  
Review
Resilience to Global Health Challenges Through Nutritional Gut Microbiome Modulation
by Erika Isolauri and Kirsi Laitinen
Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030396 - 22 Jan 2025
Viewed by 475
Abstract
As the world faces an escalating challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with phenotypes ranging from allergic chronic immuno-inflammatory diseases to neuropsychiatric disorders, it becomes evident that their seeds are sown during the early stages of life. Furthermore, within only a few decades, human [...] Read more.
As the world faces an escalating challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with phenotypes ranging from allergic chronic immuno-inflammatory diseases to neuropsychiatric disorders, it becomes evident that their seeds are sown during the early stages of life. Furthermore, within only a few decades, human obesity has reached epidemic proportions and now represents the most serious public health challenge of our time. Recent demonstrations that a growing number of these conditions are linked to aberrant gut microbiota composition and function have evoked active scientific interest in host-microbe crosstalk, characterizing and modulating the gut microbiota in at-risk circumstances. These efforts appear particularly justified during the most critical period of developmental plasticity when the child’s immune, metabolic, and microbiological constitutions lend themselves to long-term adjustment. Pregnancy and early infancy epitomize an ideal developmental juncture for preventive measures aiming to reduce the risk of NCDs; by promoting the health of pregnant and lactating women today, the health of the next generation(s) may be successfully improved. The perfect tools for this initiative derive from the earliest and most massive source of environmental exposures, namely the microbiome and nutrition, due to their fundamental interactions in the function of the host immune and metabolic maturation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal Diet, Body Composition and Offspring Health)
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