Barker Hypothesis

The Barker Hypothesis suggests that the environment a person experiences before birth, especially nutrition and health of the mother, can influence their risk of developing certain chronic diseases (like heart disease or diabetes) later in life. Essentially, conditions in the womb can "program" the developing fetus's body in ways that affect health decades later. For example, poor nutrition during pregnancy might lead to changes in the baby’s body that increase susceptibility to illnesses as they grow older. It highlights the importance of maternal health for long-term well-being.