British scientists claim following a poor diet during pregnancy or breastfeeding can cause long-lasting health problems for the child. According to a study published in the Journal of Physiology, an unhealthy diet during pregnancy increases the risk of obesity along with elevated cholesterol and blood sugar levels in the offspring.
The study showed female mice that ate fatty processed foods gave birth to pups with higher levels of fat in their blood and around their major organs, making them more prone to type-2 diabetes.
Findings also revealed that the offspring of mothers who indulged in junk food craved for similar snacks during their adolescence.
Scientists reported that while the male pups of mothers on an unhealthy diet had higher levels of insulin and normal blood sugar, obesity-linked genes were more active in female pups.
