Annales 82.4 - Maternal Nutrition and the Life-Long Health of Their Offspring

This issue of Annales Nestlé focuses on the critical role of maternal nutrition throughout the reproductive life course and its long-term impact on offspring health. It emphasizes the importance of nutrition starting from preconception, highlighting how maternal diet affects fertility, epigenetic programming, and pregnancy outcomes. During pregnancy, optimal weight gain and adequate intake of key nutrients—especially folate, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids—are essential to reduce risks like preterm birth and low birth weight. Lactation is nutritionally demanding, requiring increased energy, protein, and micronutrients to support milk production and maternal health. The document also explores calcium and iron metabolism, noting their vital roles in bone health, anemia prevention, and fetal development. It stresses that nutrient needs vary across life stages and populations, advocating for personalized, culturally sensitive dietary guidance. Public health strategies, including supplementation and education, are recommended to address global disparities in maternal nutrition. Overall, the publication underscores that maternal nutrition is foundational to lifelong health for both mother and child.