| Title: | Exposure to sugar rationing in the first 1000 days of life protected against chronic disease |
| Journal: | Science |
| Published: | 31 Oct 2024 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39480913/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adn5421 |
Publication 13665
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Abstract
We examined the impact of exposure to sugar restrictions within 1000 days after conception on type 2 diabetes and hypertension, leveraging quasi-experimental variation from the end of the United Kingdom's sugar rationing in September 1953. Rationing restricted sugar intake to levels within current dietary guidelines, and consumption nearly doubled immediately after rationing ended. Using an event study design with UK Biobank data comparing adults conceived just before or after rationing ended, we found that early-life rationing reduced type 2 diabetes and hypertension risk by about 35 and 20% and delayed disease onset by 4 and 2 years, respectively. Protection was evident with in utero exposure and increased with postnatal sugar restriction, especially after 6 months, when eating of solid foods likely began. In utero sugar rationing alone accounted for about one-third of the risk reduction.</p>
14 Keywords
- Adult
- Chronic Disease
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
- Dietary Sugars
- Female
- Food Insecurity
- Humans
- Hypertension
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Male
- Pregnancy
- Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
- United Kingdom
3 Authors
- Tadeja Gracner
- Claire Boone
- Paul J Gertler
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 58599 | The Long-Term Effects of Excess Sugar Consumption in Early Childhood. |
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