Dereje Gete
The maternal diet has a critical role in epigenetic changes in the foetus, which could affect birth outcomes, offspring growth or body composition, and behavioural problems later in life. To our knowledge, studies on preconception dietary patterns and adverse birth outcomes are scarce, and the findings are mixed. Moreover, no studies have been conducted to investigate the association between pre-pregnancy dietary patterns and offspring obesity and behavioural problems. This Ph.D. project, therefore, aimed to examine the associations of maternal dietary patterns before pregnancy and birth outcomes and child health.