After decades of research, researchers at Southampton University have developed a theory, according to which, the first 1,000 days of a child's life – the nine months in the womb and the first two years out of it, are vital in determining a child’s long-term health prospects.
According to Professor David Barker and his colleagues from the Southampton University, the stages in a child’s development have an impact on later life, like poor nutrition in a prospective mother may have an adverse effect on her baby’s weight.
Similarly smoking, stress, drugs and alcohol also leaves their impact on the child.
Since, the development of pancreatic cells responsible for making insulin takes place in the womb; the seeds of diabetes are also sown before birth.
Professor Barker believes many health problems can be traced back to poor growth in the womb.
He has shown that the lighter a baby is at birth, the higher its odds of heart disease in later life. On average, a baby weighing less than 5lb 7oz is twice as likely to die from a heart attack than one born at 9lb 7oz.
Barker adds that the key to health is ensuring women eat well throughout their lives.
He says, "What we are seeing is a window of opportunity where we can make better people."
Similarly smoking, stress, drugs and alcohol also leaves their impact on the child.
Since, the development of pancreatic cells responsible for making insulin takes place in the womb; the seeds of diabetes are also sown before birth.
Professor Barker believes many health problems can be traced back to poor growth in the womb.
He has shown that the lighter a baby is at birth, the higher its odds of heart disease in later life. On average, a baby weighing less than 5lb 7oz is twice as likely to die from a heart attack than one born at 9lb 7oz.
Barker adds that the key to health is ensuring women eat well throughout their lives.
He says, "What we are seeing is a window of opportunity where we can make better people."
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