Report on the Impact of Maternal Pro-Inflammatory Diet on Offspring’s Risk of Type 1 Diabetes

Introduction

A recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health highlights the potential long-term effects of a pro-inflammatory diet consumed by pregnant women on the immune health of their children, specifically increasing the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. This research aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), emphasizing the importance of nutrition during pregnancy for future generations.

Study Overview

1. Population and Data Collection: The study analyzed data from over 67,000 mother-child pairs from the Danish National Birth Cohort, covering pregnancies from 1996 to 2002, with children followed for an average of 17 years.
2. Dietary Assessment: Maternal diets were assessed around 25 weeks of pregnancy using detailed food frequency questionnaires to calculate the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index (EDII), which measures the inflammatory potential of the diet.
3. Outcome: Among the children tracked, 281 developed type 1 diabetes, with an average diagnosis age of 10 years.

Key Findings

• Each one-unit increase in the maternal EDII score was associated with a 16% increase in the child’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
• The risk was independent of child sex or birth weight but influenced by maternal behaviors such as gluten intake and smoking during pregnancy.
• A 10-gram increase in daily gluten consumption during pregnancy correlated with a 36% higher risk of type 1 diabetes in offspring.
• Maternal smoking during pregnancy was also independently linked to increased risk.

Dietary Components and Their Effects

The study identified specific dietary patterns contributing to the inflammatory score:

• Pro-inflammatory foods: High consumption of red and processed meats, sugary drinks, refined grains, fried foods, and trans fats.
• Anti-inflammatory foods: Diets rich in leafy greens, garlic, tomatoes, whole grains, fruits, coffee, and tea were associated with lower inflammatory scores.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: The findings emphasize the critical role of prenatal nutrition in preventing chronic diseases such as type 1 diabetes, supporting healthier lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
2. SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Encouraging access to nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods during pregnancy contributes to improved maternal and child nutrition, addressing malnutrition in all its forms.
3. SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: The study advocates for informed dietary choices that reduce consumption of harmful processed foods, promoting sustainable and healthful eating habits.
4. SDG 4 – Quality Education: Raising awareness and educating expectant mothers on the importance of anti-inflammatory diets can empower healthier lifestyle decisions.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• Mid-pregnancy represents a critical window during which maternal diet and lifestyle can significantly influence fetal immune system development and future disease risk.
• While causality cannot be definitively established, the evidence supports promoting anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich diets among pregnant women to reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes in offspring.
• Further research is recommended to refine dietary guidelines and public health policies targeting maternal nutrition as a preventive strategy against autoimmune diseases.
• Healthcare providers should consider integrating nutritional counseling focused on reducing pro-inflammatory food intake and harmful behaviors such as smoking during pregnancy.

Reference

Noorzae, R., Bjerregaard, A. A., Halldorsson, T. I., Granström, C., Brantsæter, A. L., Borge, T., Caspersen, I. H., Svensson, J., Stene, L. C. M., Antvorskov, J. C., Giovannucci, E. L., Christiansen, M., Pociot, F., & Olsen, S. F. (2025). Association between a pro-inflammatory dietary pattern during pregnancy and type 1 diabetes risk in offspring: Prospective cohort study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2024-223320

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on maternal nutrition and its impact on the risk of type 1 diabetes in children, directly relating to health outcomes and disease prevention.
   • It highlights the importance of prenatal care and reducing non-communicable diseases.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Nutrition quality during pregnancy is a key aspect of this goal, emphasizing access to healthy, nutrient-rich, and anti-inflammatory foods.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article discusses dietary patterns involving processed meats, sugary drinks, and other inflammatory foods, implying the need for sustainable and healthy consumption habits.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunted and wasted children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older persons.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.
   • Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Dietary Inflammatory Score (EDII)
   • Used to quantify the inflammatory potential of a pregnant woman’s diet, which is linked to the child’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
   • This score can serve as an indicator to monitor dietary quality and inflammation risk in prenatal nutrition programs.
2. Incidence Rate of Type 1 Diabetes in Children
   • Tracking the number of new type 1 diabetes cases among children born to mothers with different dietary patterns.
   • Used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving maternal diet and reducing disease risk.
3. Maternal Gluten Intake and Smoking Rates During Pregnancy
   • These maternal behaviors are independently associated with increased risk and can be monitored as indicators of risk factors.
4. Consumption Rates of Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Foods
   • Monitoring intake of red and processed meats, sugary drinks, refined grains, fried foods, trans fats (pro-inflammatory), and leafy greens, whole grains, fruits, coffee, tea (anti-inflammatory).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsweek.com