Dietary Proteins, Developmental Programming, and Potential Implication in Maternal Obesity

Background: Proteins are known mainly based on their metabolic andnutritional functions including protein synthesis and a source of energy. In spiteof various physiological properties attributed to proteins, their functions haveneither been addressed by assessing quality of proteins nor by nutrition anddietetic practices. Methods: Studies were included if they were randomizedanimal studies, clinical trials and systematic reviews/meta-analysis published inEnglish language. Results: The effect of maternal diet in general and dietaryproteins in particular during development on health of offspring has been wellstudied.Protein content as well as source of protein in the diet consumed duringpregnancy and lactation influenced the risk of metabolic syndromecharacteristics in offspring. Both high and low protein diets showed detrimentaleffects on health of offspring. Moreover, comparison of maternal casein-baseddiet with soy protein-based diet showed more favorable effect on body weight,body composition, blood pressure, and glucose metabolism in offspring.However, the role of maternal dietary proteins in developing the risk ofmetabolic syndrome characteristics in offspring in gestational obesity is stillunclear and needs further study. Conclusions: Dietary proteins are determiningfactors in developmental programming. Both quantity and source of proteins inmaternal diet influenced the development of metabolic syndrome characteristicsin offspring. However, whether they have the same function in presence ofgestational obesity is still unclear and needs further study.

Keywords:

Dietary proteins , Developmental programming , Maternal obesity , Metabolic syndrome