“[Although] many of the long-term health problems associated with maternal junk food diets can be avoided if offspring carefully follow a healthy diet after weaning, they are always going to have a predisposition for overconsumption of junk food and obesity.†The study examined the impact of eating foods such as peanut butter, sugary breakfast foods, nutella and lard. It said the results showed the impact of junk food on a baby’s reward pathways and highlighted the need for further research on mothers’ diets to address rising obesity rates.
“A better understanding of this mechanism is crucial if we are to develop possible strategies for intervention and becomes increasingly important in view of the rapidly rising rates of both childhood and adult obesity,†it said.
