Cited by 2,955Birth, Development, and HealthPrenatal Substance Exposure EffectsPregnancy and preeclampsia studies

The origins of the developmental origins theory

Barker, D. J. P.·2007·Journal of Internal Medicine

Abstract

Current orthodoxy states that coronary heart disease results from the unhealthy lifestyles of westernized adults together with a contribution from genetic inheritance. This does not provide a secure basis for prevention of the disease. Geographical studies gave the first clue that the disease originates during intra-uterine development. Variations in mortality from the disease across England and Wales were shown to correlate closely with past differences in death rates among newborn babies. In the past most deaths among newborns were attributed to low birthweight. This led to the hypothesis that undernutrition in utero permanently changes the body's structure, function and metabolism in ways that lead to coronary heart disease in later life. The association between low birthweight and coronary heart disease has been confirmed in longitudinal studies of men and women around the world. The developmental model of the origins of the disease offers a new way forward.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2007.01809.x

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39 of 39 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Epigenetics and DOHaD provide a biosocial framework for understanding how behaviors during pregnancy can impact fetal and infant development.

    “Together, epigenetics—the study of gene–environment interaction and regulation—and DOHaD—the study of how early adverse exposure can impact health across the life course—provide a biosocial framework for understanding how behaviors during pregnancy can impact fetal and infant development (Landecker and Panofsky 2013; Barker 2007).”
  • In nutritional and environmental epigenetics and DOHaD research, there is a dearth of information on people's experiences with eating and weight management during pregnancy.

    “In nutritional and environmental epigenetics and DOHaD research, there is a dearth of information on people's experiences with eating and weight management during pregnancy.2”
  • Barker's foundational work identified associations between undernutrition during gestation, low birth weight and higher rates of ischemic heart and coronary artery disease mortality in adulthood in British children born in the 1920s.

    “Barker’s foundational work identified associations between undernutrition during gestation, low birth weight and higher rates of ischemic heart and coronary artery disease mortality in adulthood in British children born in the 1920s [38,39,40,41].”

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Authors
Barker, D. J. P.
Affiliations
Oregon Health & Science University (US)
Corresponding author
Barker, D. J. P.
Venue
Journal of Internal Medicine
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2007-04-10
Volume
261
Issue
5
Pages
412-417
ISSN
  • 0954-6820 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2796
OpenAlex
W2143847855
Cited by
2,955
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 174 · 2025: 216 · 2024: 219 · 2023: 263 · 2022: 258 · 2021: 247 · 2020: 209 · 2019: 165 · 2018: 170 · 2017: 160 · 2016: 135 · 2015: 123 · 2014: 103 · 2013: 99 · 2012: 115
FWCI
10.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Internal Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Birth, Development, and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
Keywords
coronary artery disease, developmental origins of health and disease, low birth weight, intrauterine undernutrition, fetal origins of disease, coronary heart disease prevention
MeSH terms
Adult, Coronary Disease, England, Female, Humans, Infant Mortality, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Newborn, Life Style, Male, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Social Conditions, Wales, Fetal Development, Fetal Nutrition Disorders

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