The recent and rapid worldwide increase in non-communicable diseases challenges the
assumption that genetic factors are the primary contributors to such diseases. A new concept …

Sex differences occur in most non-communicable diseases, including metabolic diseases,
hypertension, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric and neurological disorders and cancer. In …

Epidemiological data indicate that developmental programming of various non-
communicable diseases (NCDs) occurs as a consequence of altered maternal metabolic …

The intrauterine environment has an important influence on lifelong health, and babies who
grew poorly in the womb are more likely to develop chronic diseases in later life. Placental …

Offspring of obese and diabetic mothers are at increased risk of being born with excess
adiposity as a consequence of their intrauterine environment. Excessive fetal fat accretion …

The placenta is an ephemeral but critical organ for the survival of all eutherian mammals
and marsupials. It is the primary messenger system between the mother and fetus, where …

Epidemiological evidence links an individual's susceptibility to chronic disease in adult life to
events during their intrauterine phase of development. Biologically this should not be …

Suboptimal intrauterine conditions, including poor nutrition, during critical periods of growth
may lead to lifelong changes in the body's organs and tissues, thus providing a …

Background The early life environment experienced by an individual in utero and during the
neonatal period is a major factor in shaping later life disease risk-including susceptibility to …

The “Barker hypothesis” postulates that a number of organ structures and associated
functions undergo programming during embryonic and fetal life, which determines the set …