Malnutrition in expecting mothers leads to higher risk of diabetes

Malnutrition in expecting mothers leads to higher risk of diabetes

Reported December 11, 2008

Ludhiana Low nutrition levels among women during pregnancy is one of the main reasons why more and more Indians are suffering from diabetes and obesity, said Professor Allan Vaag, chief physician and research scientist at Steno Diabetes Centre in Denmark and a professor at Lund University in Sweden.

He was speaking on ‘Type 2 Diabetes: Genes Vs Environment’ at the sidelines of the Continuing Medical Education Programme in the city on Tuesday evening.

The seminar was organised by Physicians’ Association Ludhiana and Novo Nordisk.

“Malnutrition in expecting mothers results in Low Birth Weight (LBW) in the child. According to our studies, LBW is one of the factors that leads to a higher risk of diabetes later on. Besides, the sugar levels of the mothers who are themselves diabetic can affect the baby’s organs considerably. And when the kid grows up, he/she is again at a higher risk of diabetes,” he explained.

 

 

It is important that diabetes is detected during pregnancy and if discovered, the treatment for the disease must start immediately in order to prevent malformation in the baby,” he added.

“Indians genes are different from those of Europeans. As there existed a low level of nutrition among the Indian population at one stage, now their genes are at a higher risk of diabetes when they gain even a few kilograms of body weight,” said Professor Vaag enumerating the reasons for the high prevalence of diabetes in the country.

The professor expressed concern over the way Indians have been adopting the ‘western lifestyle’.

“India is already considered the world’s capital for the disease. The genes of the countrymen here are not at all fit to function with the western lifestyle.”

At present, Professor Vaag is compiling data on around 5,000 pregnant women in the state for further analysis.

The project also involves Dr Geeti P Arora, a city-based diabotologist, along with Dr Mary John, Head of the Department of Medicine at Christian Medical College and Hospital.