Faculty

Hamid Jan Jan Mohamed

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DOHAD and importance of nutrition to combat NCD (obesity and diabetes)

The developmental origins of health disease (DOHaD) hypothesis proposes that altered child
environment or mismatch between circumstances during conception and in later life leads to metabolic dysregulation and the development of obesity and diabetes. Maternal health status and poor nutrition are widely recognised as implications in the onset of premature birth, underweight and stunting in children. The ‘fetal programming’ effect is also well established in animal studies and several cohort studies. This programming phenomenon is thought to affect the biochemical and physiological process during growth and development. These problems were then exaggerated with growth issues such as catch-up growth in early childhood. Many study has shown that poor nutritional status during childhood may lead to increased risk of non-communicable diseases development in later life. Stunted child may grow up as poorly as a stunted adult who may have increased risk of obesity based on the Body Mass Index formula. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. There is an established evidence that in obese individuals, adipose tissue releases increased amount of chemicals such as non-esterified fatty acids, hormones and pro-inflammatory cystokines that are involved in the development of insulin. It is clear now that NCD prevention strategies should start as early as possible. Identifying and supporting women at risk of poor pregnancy outcome is very important. Intervention on women before and during first 1000 days may help prevent children with poor growth and development and ensuring a healthy generation free from NCD’s.

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