Researchers studied over 1,100 pregnant women living on the Tibetan Plateau to see if what mothers eat during pregnancy affects whether babies are born with obesity. They found that mothers who ate more protein and fruit had babies with healthier weights at birth, especially among Tibetan women living in very high mountain areas. This discovery is important because a baby’s weight at birth can affect their health throughout life. The study suggests that encouraging pregnant women to eat more fruits and protein-rich foods might help prevent obesity in newborns, particularly in high-altitude communities.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the types of food pregnant women eat affect whether their babies are born with obesity, especially in high-altitude areas of Tibet
  • Who participated: 1,173 pregnant women from the Tibetan Plateau, including both Han Chinese and Tibetan women. About 40% were Tibetan, and about 23% lived in ultra-high altitude mountain areas
  • Key finding: Mothers who ate more protein and fruit during pregnancy had babies with significantly lower risk of obesity at birth. This effect was strongest for Tibetan women living in the highest altitude areas, where babies had about 61% lower risk of obesity
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, eating more fruits and protein-rich foods may help your baby be born at a healthier weight. This appears especially important if you live in high-altitude areas. However, this research is specific to the Tibetan population and may not apply equally to all groups

The Research Details

Researchers followed 1,173 pregnant women living on the Tibetan Plateau from pregnancy through birth. They asked women about their eating habits using a detailed food questionnaire that asked how often they ate different foods. After the babies were born, researchers measured the babies’ weight and body size to determine if they had obesity. The researchers then used statistical methods to see if the mothers’ eating patterns were connected to their babies’ weights at birth.

The researchers identified four different eating patterns among the pregnant women by looking at which foods were commonly eaten together. They then examined whether each eating pattern was linked to babies being born with obesity. They also looked at whether living at different altitudes or being from different ethnic groups (Han Chinese or Tibetan) changed these connections.

This research approach is important because it looks at real eating patterns rather than just single foods, which is how people actually eat. By studying women in their natural environment on the Tibetan Plateau, the researchers could see how altitude and cultural food traditions affect the connection between diet and baby weight. This helps us understand that dietary advice might need to be different for different populations and environments.

This study has several strengths: it included a large number of participants (over 1,100), it followed women during pregnancy rather than asking them to remember afterward, and it looked at specific groups rather than assuming all populations are the same. However, the study was conducted only in one region of Tibet, so results may not apply to other areas or populations. The study also relied on women remembering what they ate, which can sometimes be inaccurate. Additionally, only about 5% of babies in the study had obesity, which is relatively small and might affect how confident we can be in the results

What the Results Show

The main finding was that mothers who followed a diet high in protein and fruit had babies with significantly lower risk of being born with obesity. Specifically, babies born to mothers with higher protein-fruit diet scores had about 34% lower risk of obesity (the odds ratio was 0.66, meaning the risk was reduced by about one-third).

Interestingly, this protective effect was much stronger in one specific group: Tibetan women living in ultra-high altitude areas (above about 4,000 meters or 13,000 feet). In this group, higher protein-fruit diet scores were associated with about 61% lower risk of neonatal obesity (odds ratio of 0.39). This suggests that the altitude and ethnic background of the mother may change how important diet is for baby weight.

When researchers looked at what would happen if mothers increased their fruit intake specifically, they found that eating more fruit was associated with lower measurements of baby fatness at birth. This suggests that fruit consumption may be one of the most important dietary factors for preventing obesity in newborns.

The researchers identified four different eating patterns among the pregnant women. Besides the protein-fruit pattern, they found patterns that included more refined grains, more vegetables, and other combinations. However, only the protein-fruit pattern showed a clear protective effect against neonatal obesity. The other patterns did not show significant associations with baby weight. This suggests that the combination of protein and fruit may be particularly important, rather than just eating more vegetables or other foods in general.

Previous research has shown that maternal diet during pregnancy affects baby health and weight, but most studies have been done in developed countries with different food availability and eating patterns. This study is important because it shows that the connection between diet and baby weight may be different in high-altitude areas and in different ethnic groups. The finding that altitude and ethnicity modify the diet-obesity relationship is relatively new and suggests that one-size-fits-all dietary recommendations during pregnancy may not work for all populations.

This study has several important limitations to consider. First, it was conducted only in Tibet, so the results may not apply to pregnant women in other regions or countries. Second, the study asked women to remember what they ate, which can be inaccurate. Third, only about 5% of babies in the study had obesity, which is a relatively small number and makes it harder to be completely confident in the findings. Fourth, the study could not prove that diet directly caused the differences in baby weight—it only showed an association. Other factors like genetics, physical activity, or other environmental factors could also play a role. Finally, the study was stronger at finding effects in Tibetan women at high altitude but weaker in other groups, so the findings may not apply equally to all populations

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, pregnant women—particularly those living in high-altitude areas—should aim to eat more fruits and protein-rich foods during pregnancy. Good protein sources include eggs, beans, nuts, fish, and lean meats. Fruits provide important vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This recommendation has moderate confidence for Tibetan women living at high altitude (where the effect was strongest) and lower confidence for other populations, since the study was done primarily in one region. Women should discuss their individual dietary needs with their healthcare provider, as other factors like overall calorie intake and other nutrients are also important during pregnancy

This research is most relevant to pregnant women living in high-altitude areas, particularly Tibetan women. However, the general principle that eating more fruits and protein during pregnancy may support healthy baby weight is likely beneficial for all pregnant women. Women with gestational diabetes, high blood pressure during pregnancy, or other pregnancy complications should work with their healthcare team to adjust these recommendations. The findings may be less directly applicable to pregnant women living at sea level or in different ethnic groups, though the general benefits of fruits and protein are well-established

The effects of maternal diet on baby weight at birth would develop during pregnancy, so changes to eating habits should ideally begin before pregnancy or as early in pregnancy as possible. Women may not notice personal changes during pregnancy, but the benefits would be measured in their baby’s weight and body composition at birth. Long-term benefits for the child’s health would develop over months and years after birth

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily fruit servings and protein intake during pregnancy. Set a goal of at least 2-3 servings of fruit per day and 2-3 servings of protein-rich foods. Log specific foods like apples, oranges, berries, eggs, beans, nuts, fish, or chicken to monitor adherence to a protein-fruit pattern
  • Users can set daily reminders to eat a fruit with each meal and include a protein source at lunch and dinner. Create a shopping list focused on seasonal fruits and affordable protein sources available locally. Track which fruits and proteins are easiest to incorporate into daily meals and build habits around those foods
  • Over the course of pregnancy, monitor weekly fruit and protein intake patterns. Create a visual chart showing average daily servings of each food group. At prenatal appointments, discuss dietary patterns with healthcare providers and adjust as needed. After birth, track baby’s weight and growth measurements to see if dietary changes correlated with healthier birth weight

This research suggests an association between maternal diet and baby weight at birth but does not prove that diet alone determines birth weight. Many factors affect neonatal health, including genetics, maternal health conditions, physical activity, and overall lifestyle. Pregnant women should not make major dietary changes without consulting their healthcare provider, as individual nutritional needs vary. This study was conducted in a specific population (Tibetan Plateau) and may not apply equally to all pregnant women. Always work with your doctor or registered dietitian for personalized pregnancy nutrition advice. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical guidance.