TO STOP OBESITY, START BEFORE BIRTH.

​It is increasingly acknowledged that the environment that fetuses are exposed to in utero is very important is calibrating the genes that regulate weight and energy expenditure. Overweight mothers beget overweight children not just through genes but through epigenetics.
What is epigenetics you may ask? Certain changes can be made to chromosomes to affect gene expression. Think of it as gene calibration to fit the environment. The environment can cause long term and even permanent changes in gene expression that lead to obesity. Mothers who consume too much refined starches and sugars it may be setting up their babies to expect the same throughout life. Babies who marinate in a super insulin rich environment inside the mother may become insulin super-producers who gain weight easily for the rest of their lives. What is even scarier is that epigenetic changes can be passed to offspring.  Check out this New York Times article: nyti.ms/29ypHDI
The most sensible diet for a woman who may become or who is pregnant is one that keeps maternal insulin relatively low. Excessive maternal weight gain is associated with unusually large babies. Focus on nutritionally dense real food that satisfies that provides all essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, Eliminate low quality processed "foods" that stimulate excessive insulin release.