THE IMPACT OF FETAL METABOLIC PROGRAMMING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HEALTHY OFFSPRING

Abstract

Fetal Programming refers to a theory that experiences and environmental factors encountered early in life, especially during fetal development, influence health and the risk of diseases in both the short and long term. This study aimed to contribute to the construction of knowledge and scientific medical advancements regarding Fetal Metabolic Programming (FMP) and the importance of parents adhering to lifestyle changes and their influence on the development of healthy offspring, in both the short and long term. It is a bibliographic review of the main scientific articles published from 2019 onwards, both national and international, on research platforms such as Google Scholar, PubMed, SCIELO, and the National Library of Medicine. The findings suggest that both the maternal and paternal environments have a determining influence on PMF and the healthy development of offspring. The findings conclude that interventions during the preconception and gestational periods, such as adopting a balanced diet, regular physical activity, management of comorbidities, and reduction of exposure to inflammatory or toxic agents, are key strategies to promote an environment conducive to healthy fetal development.