Maternal obesity and offspring metabolism: revisiting dietary interventions

Abstract

Maternal obesity increases the risk of metabolic disorders in offspring. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the transgenerational transmission of metabolic diseases is important for the metabolic health of future generations. More research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the associated risks and their clinical implications because of the inherently complex nature of transgenerational metabolic disease transmission. Diet is a well-recognized risk factor for the development of obesity and other metabolic diseases, and rational dietary interventions are potential therapeutic strategies for their prevention. Despite extensive research on the physiological effects of diet on health and its associated mechanisms, little work has been devoted to understanding the effects of early-life dietary interventions on the metabolic health of offspring. In addition, existing dietary interventions are insufficient to meet clinical needs. Here, we discuss the literature on the effects of maternal obesity on the metabolic health of offspring, focusing on the mechanisms underlying the transgenerational transmission of metabolic diseases. We revisit current dietary interventions and describe their strengths and weaknesses in ameliorating maternal obesity-induced metabolism-related disorders in offspring. We also propose innovative strategies, such as the use of precision nutrition and fecal microbiota transplantation, which may limit the vicious cycle of intergenerational metabolic disease transmission.