Nutritional fatty acids during pregnancy & lactation

In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the effects of maternal supplementation with n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) during pregnancy on pregnancy outcome and later child development. A relatively new upcoming issue in the context of maternal supplementation with n-3 LCPUFA during pregnancy is the role of n-3 LCPUFA in influencing offspring body composition as a prevention strategy against childhood overweight. A few post hoc analyses of studies that addressed this issue have shown variable and inconclusive results. The INFAT-trial (Impact of Nutritional Fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation for early human Adipose Tissue development) is the first study to directly address this question in a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) in humans. Aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a reduction in the n-6/n-3 LCPUFAs ratio in the diet of pregnant/breastfeeding women on adipose tissue growth in their infants´ ≤ 1 year of age by using two different methods of body fat assessment.