Final answer:
The fetal origin of adult disease theory points to maternal stress, especially insufficient maternal nutrition, as the cause for a low weight but relatively fat newborn, affecting the long-term health and development of the individual. Option b
Step-by-step explanation:
The fetal origin of adult disease theory suggests that the future health of an individual can be influenced by the environment that the fetus experiences during pregnancy. Nutritional factors, particularly insufficient maternal nutrition, play a significant role in the development of the fetus and can lead to a low birthweight but relatively fat newborn.
This condition is linked to maternal undernutrition and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which affects the fetus's development leading to long-term health consequences.
Exposure to environmental toxins, infections, and stress are other factors that may impact the fetus's development. However, based on the information provided, the correct answer to the question is b) Maternal stress.
Threatening environmental conditions like famine can lead to adaptive responses in the fetus. These adaptations are meant to increase the chances of survival but may predispose the individual to health issues later in life.
It is the exposure to different environmental signals through the mother, such as during times of famine, that can reprogram biological systems like the immune system, leading to a phenotype that may be disadvantageous after birth.
Understanding the impact of maternal nutrition on fetal development is crucial, as babies with low birth weight have been associated with higher mortality rates shortly after birth and an increased susceptibility to disease.
Therefore, it is essential that a mother receives adequate prenatal care, which includes nutritional guidance to mitigate the risks associated with undernutrition.
Option b