DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGIN OF HEALTH AND DISEASE

Abstract

This article explores how early-life nutrition, fetal growth, and early developmental conditions influence long-term health outcomes, a framework known as the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). Historical cohort studies, including those from the Hertfordshire cohort consistently show that poor fetal nutrition and low birth weight increase the risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, impaired cognition, and mental health disorders later in life. Evidence from animal and human studies demonstrates that undernutrition during critical windows of gestation can permanently alter organ structure, metabolism, and hormonal regulation, resulting in lifelong disease susceptibility. It also highlights the burden of chronic diseases—particularly COPD—in low-income regions, where limited awareness, inadequate healthcare resources, and high exposure to indoor air pollution elevate risk. Overall, the findings underscore that birth weight is a strong marker of future health, emphasizing the importance of maternal nutrition, prenatal care, and improved public health systems to reduce chronic disease burden across generations.