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2007-8-28 16:25:29 |
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Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid junk food as scientists found eating junk food during these two periods increased the odds of their children becoming overeating and obese. Junk food refers to processed foods such as doughnuts, muffins, biscuits, crisps and sweets. Women eating these foods during pregnancy and breastfeeding tended to give birth to offspring that overeat and had a preference for junk foods rich in fat, sugar and salt, according to a new study. The study was conducted in rats by scientists at the Royal Veterinary College, London who believe the results, which are published in the British Journal of Nutrition, are applicable to humans as well. "Our study has shown that eating large quantities of junk food when pregnant and breastfeeding could impair the normal control of appetite and promote an exacerbated taste for junk food in offspring," says lead author Dr Stéphanie Bayol. "This could send offspring on the road to obesity and make the task of teaching healthy eating habits in children even more challenging.?/span> Early exposure to junk food may occasionally override the normal regulation of satiety in children, according to the researchers. Previous studies have shown that junk foods rich in fat and sugar inhibit the satiety signals while promoting hunger and stimulating the reward centers. "Exposure to a maternal junk food diet during their fetal and suckling life might help explain why some individuals might find it harder than others to control their junk food intake even when given access to healthier foods later in life," explains Dr Bayol. |
