Grant: Operating Grant

Diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes, is a major health issue. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of complications in both the mother and the offspring, during pregnancy, delivery, and for many years after. Women with gestational diabetes are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes later in their life. Children born from mother who had diabetes during pregnancy are at increased risk for future obesity and diabetes themselves later in life. This could be explained by common genetic and environmental risk factors acting during and/or after pregnancy. Excess weight is a common risk factor for type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Fat tissue produces hormones that might participate in the processes linking obesity and diabetes. Levels of those hormones vary during pregnancy. This project will evaluate genes that influence regulation of glucose, insulin action, and fat-related hormones during pregnancy and their impact on fetus development. We will also assess the influence of diet, physical activity and other characteristics of pregnant women on associations between genes and glucose or hormones levels. This project will lead to a better understanding of genetic and environmental factors influencing the risk of gestational diabetes and the future risk of obesity and diabetes in offspring. We hope that this knowledge will lead to better ways to prevent and treat obesity and diabetes in future generations.