Non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some forms of cancer, are currently the leading cause of death worldwide, and are largely preventable by adopting a healthy lifestyle: eating a balanced diet, engaging in physical activity, and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.<\/p>\n
These are good habits<\/strong> that should be taught to children as early as possible<\/strong> to guide them toward a future of wellness<\/em>. But what does “as early as possible” really mean? Recent research tells us: even before birth<\/strong>. This refers to the first 1,000 days,<\/strong> the period from conception to roughly the child’s second year of life. It is proven that the lifestyle<\/strong> of the expectant mother during pregnancy, and even better in the preconception period, influences the activation of the genes directing the development of the unborn child, effectively programming their metabolism. This is supported by nutrigenomics, the science that studies the link between nutrition and DNA: genetic heritage is sensitive to lifestyle \u2014 especially diet. A child born to a mother with poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, who smokes and consumes alcohol, is predisposed to obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and chronic inflammatory diseases (14).
\nThat\u2019s why an expectant mother who wants to give her baby the best possible opportunities and begin caring for them from the very start must commit to correcting harmful habits and lifestyle choices during pregnancy, and ideally even before conception: a healthy diet, physical activity, an optimal body mass index, and reduced exposure to harmful substances. This applies to both the future mother and the future father.
\nIt\u2019s a gesture of love and responsibility for their child \u2014 and at the same time, a way to improve their own health.<\/p>\n\t\t