Expecting mothers who consume a diet high in salt and sugar from processed food may increase the likelihood of birthing children at high obesity risk.
"Children born to mothers who eat a low-quality diet—high in inflammation-associated foods—during pregnancy may be more likely to have obesity or excess body fat," a University College Dublin representative said in a statement.
The evidence collected from 16,295 mother-child pairs points to the first 1,000 days of life -- from conception to two years old -- as a critical period for preventing childhood obesity.
The research suggests that promoting an overall healthy diet, high in fruit and vegetables and low in refined carbohydrates and red and processed meats, throughout pregnancy may help prevent childhood obesity.