Babies born to women consuming a sugary diet, high fat, at greater risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in later life

A study in the *Journal of Physiology* shows that babies born to obese mothers are at higher risk for heart problems and diabetes due to fetal damage from the mother's high-fat, high-energy diet. This research reveals that maternal obesity disrupts critical thyroid hormones in the fetal heart, impairing its development.

The study, involving baboon fetuses, found that a high-fat, sugary diet increases the likelihood of insulin resistance in adulthood, even if babies are born at a normal weight. The reduced levels of active thyroid hormone T3 in the fetal heart disrupt its preparation for life after birth, leading to potential lifelong health issues.

These findings highlight the importance of good maternal nutrition and suggest that all babies from high-fat diet pregnancies should be screened for cardiometabolic health. The researchers are conducting long-term studies to monitor the health impacts of maternal obesity on offspring.

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