Eating an unhealthy diet during pregnancy may raise the child's lifetime risk of obesity and elevated cholesterol and blood sugar levels, British researchers reported in the latest issue of The Journal of Physiology.

The research was tested on rates, with one group of female rates fed on junk food during pregnancy, and another group a healthy diet of regular feed.

Researchers compared the offspring of the two groups and found those born to mothers fed on junk food diet had higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat found in the bloodstream; both increase the risk of heart disease.

Besides, they also had higher levels of glucose and insulin, both of which increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

These rats remained fatter through adolescence and into adulthood than the offspring of the mothers who ate a healthier diet during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

"It seems that a mother's diet whilst pregnant and breast-feeding is very important for the long term health of her child," said study co-author Dr. Stephanie Bayol in a prepared statement. "We always say 'you are what you eat. In fact, it may be true that you are what your mother ate."

"Even though the study was carried out in rats, the findings are likely applicable to human," study co-author Professor Neil Stickland added.

Humans share a number of fundamental biological systems with rats, so there is good reason to assume the effects we see in rats may be repeated in humans, according to the researchers.

(Agencies via Xinhua July 1, 2008)