The Developmental Origins of Obesity

Launched by PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE · May 12, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The OMEGA Stem study is looking at how a mother’s weight before pregnancy can influence the risk of obesity in their children. Specifically, it aims to understand if maternal obesity affects the development of certain immune and fat cells in babies and whether taking omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy can help reduce these risks. The study will involve 160 women who are either at a healthy weight or have pregestational obesity. Participants must be at least 18 years old, expecting a single baby, and planning to deliver at the Hospital Clínico UC-Christus.

If you join the study, you will take either a daily supplement of omega-3 fatty acids or standard prenatal care. Throughout the pregnancy, researchers will collect some health information and blood samples to see how these factors may affect you and your baby. After delivery, your baby’s body composition will be measured to understand the impact of the supplementation. This study is important because it could help clarify how maternal health influences childhood obesity and how diet during pregnancy might provide a protective effect for future generations.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • First prenatal visit \<14 weeks gestation
• • Pregestational BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 for the NW groups and BMI \>30 for the PGO groups,
• • To have singleton pregnancy,
• • ≥18 years of age and plan to deliver at the Hospital Clínico UC- Christus
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Preexisting diabetes
• • GDM
• • Preeclampsia,
• • Multiple gestations
• • Chronic cardio-respiratory disorder or neurological o genetic defects of the fetus
• • History of an eating disorder, food allergy,
• • Any high-risk pregnancy condition (MINSAL 2015)