A study published in Scientific Reports has found that a mother’s diet during the third trimester of pregnancy can impact her baby’s mental health. The research highlights that consuming foods that cause rapid spikes in blood sugar may influence infant temperament and behavior.
Led by Dr. Elizabeth Wood from OHSU School of Medicine, the study assessed maternal diet during the second and third trimesters and its effect on infant behavior. The findings suggest that specific dietary changes during pregnancy could improve infant mental health.
The study focused on the effects of dietary glycemic index (GI), maternal adiposity, and insulin resistance on infant negative emotions (NA). Data from a longitudinal study on perinatal nutrition was analyzed, including dietary recalls, body composition assessments, and blood samples. Infant temperament was evaluated through caregiver questionnaires completed six months after birth.
Key Findings
The research showed that a higher third-trimester dietary GI was linked to increased infant sadness and negative emotions. No significant links were found between maternal body fat or insulin resistance and infant behavior. In the second trimester, insulin resistance was associated with infant fear, but not other negative emotions.
Implications
The study suggests that maternal diet, especially in the third trimester, plays a key role in infant neurodevelopment. Dr. Wood emphasized that reducing high-GI foods during pregnancy could improve infant emotional health. These findings point to targeted dietary interventions as a potential way to enhance infant well-being and development.
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