Foetal Programming of Obesity

Foetal programming means that a mother’s health and nutrition during pregnancy can shape her baby’s lifelong metabolism and obesity risk. This does not mean obesity is inevitable — rather, it highlights how early-life factors influence weight, and knowing this helps us take proactive steps.

Foetal programming of obesity, rooted in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm, describes how maternal malnutrition, hyperglycaemia, or obesity during gestation epigenetically alters the offspring’s metabolic set points. These changes affect appetite regulation, adipogenesis, and insulin sensitivity, predisposing to obesity and metabolic syndrome in later life.

While you cannot change your early-life exposures, understanding them empowers you to manage your weight with targeted medical support. Dr Joseph Wang at Accord Medical can help you understand your metabolic blueprint and develop a personalised weight management plan.