A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Turku and Turku University Hospital in Finland has revealed that maternal nutrition during early pregnancy plays a crucial role in a child’s motor development at the age of 5 to 6 years. The research also found that higher maternal body fat mass during pregnancy can have a detrimental effect on a child’s motor skills.
Study Overview and Background Lifestyle choices during pregnancy, particularly diet and body composition, have long been known to influence various aspects of a child’s health. The University of Turku’s study examined how maternal risk factors, including overweight and obesity, affect motor development in children as they grow. The study specifically looked at how these factors impact motor performance, including fine and gross motor skills, balance, and the likelihood of developing developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
Research Methodology The study included a cohort of mothers who were overweight or obese based on their pregnancy body mass index (BMI). These women’s body composition was measured using air displacement plethysmography, a highly accurate method for determining body fat percentage. Additionally, gestational diabetes was diagnosed using the oral glucose tolerance test, and maternal dietary intake was assessed through a fish consumption questionnaire and food diaries.
The children of these mothers were evaluated for motor performance at ages 5 to 6 years. Testing focused on a range of motor skills, including fine and gross motor abilities, balance, and the presence of developmental coordination disorder. The children’s motor performance was compared with the dietary habits and body composition of their mothers during pregnancy.
Key Findings The study found that 14% of the children were diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder at age 5-6, which is nearly three times the average prevalence of the condition among the general child population. This higher-than-average incidence of DCD was associated with maternal body fat. Specifically, children of mothers with higher body fat mass or a higher percentage of body fat were at a significantly increased risk of developing motor difficulties. The study highlighted that this association was best captured using precise measures of body fat composition rather than broader BMI measurements, which did not show a strong link to the children’s motor outcomes.
Interestingly, no significant connection was found between gestational diabetes and the children’s motor development, suggesting that other factors, particularly maternal body fat, might play a more significant role.
Impact of Maternal Diet The study also revealed that a healthier maternal diet during early pregnancy was linked to better motor development outcomes in children, particularly in gross motor skills. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, rye bread, and fish, which are sources of essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, was found to support better motor performance. Specifically, fish consumption during pregnancy was associated with improvements in both fine and gross motor skills in children. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are crucial for fetal brain development, which likely contributes to the observed benefits in motor development.
Implications for Future Health The findings underscore the importance of prenatal nutrition, especially for mothers who are overweight or obese before pregnancy. Professor Kirsi Laitinen, who leads the Early Nutrition and Health Research Group at the University of Turku, emphasized the potential benefits of prenatal nutritional guidance targeted at mothers with higher body fat. Not only could this help curb excessive weight gain during pregnancy, but it could also positively impact the child’s future motor development, potentially reducing the risk of developmental coordination disorder.
The study advocates for a more comprehensive approach to maternal health during pregnancy, suggesting that targeted dietary interventions could benefit both the mothers and their children. By encouraging healthy eating patterns that include nutrient-dense foods, such as fish and vegetables, and by addressing excess body fat, it may be possible to improve long-term developmental outcomes for children.
Conclusion The study conducted by the University of Turku provides important insights into the long-term effects of maternal nutrition and body composition on children’s motor development. It highlights the critical role of a healthy diet during early pregnancy, particularly in improving gross and fine motor skills in children aged 5 to 6 years. Additionally, it emphasizes the risks associated with higher maternal body fat, which could have a lasting impact on a child’s motor development. These findings suggest that early intervention through improved nutrition and weight management during pregnancy could be key to supporting better developmental outcomes for children.
You Might Be Interested In:
-
Leisure Screen Time Linked to Increased Psychological Distress in Teens, Study Finds
-
Study Sheds Light on Brain Structure Variability in Schizophrenia
