The global epidemic of obesity has generated a lot of interest in the mechanisms resulting in the epidemic and its effects on population health. Towards this end, the effect of maternal nutrition (over- and undernutrition) on fetal and neonatal outcomes is being studied. It is understood that the maternal nutritional status is not simply a question of supply but also the effects of confounding factors such as infections and workload. Maternal nutrition before, during and after birth can all influence the longterm outcomes of the infant.This issue of Annales of Nutrition and Metabolism brings to light new information of transgenerational programming, mechanisms altering appetite and the epigenome as well as the effect of overnutrition in the offspring through postnatal feeding and offers a possible prevention strategy aimed at the future generation of mothers.
