Project Information

Project Title:

Non-nutritive sweetener consumption during pregnancy: impact on infant gut microbiome and metabolism in the CHILD cohort

Principal Investigator(s):

Azad, Meghan; Arrieta Mendez, Marie C

Co-Investigators:

Sharma, Atul K; Sycuro, Laura K

Institution Paid:

University of Manitoba

Research Institution:

University of Manitoba

Department:

Pediatrics and Child Health

Program:

Operating Grant: Analyses of Existing Cohorts & Databases – IHDCYH

Competition(Year/Month):

201609 

Assigned Peer Review Committee:

AO1 Analyses of Existing Canadian Cohorts & Databases – Reproductive Maternal & Child Health

Primary Institute:

Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes

Primary Theme:

Biomedical

Term (Yrs/Mths):

1 yr 0 mth 

CIHR Contribution:

$75,000

Keywords:

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS; CHILDHOOD OBESITY; DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE; INFANTS; METABOLOMICS; METAGENOMICS; MICROBIOME; NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENERS; PREGNANCY; PRENATAL NUTRITION

Abstract:

Childhood obesity rates in Canada have doubled since 1970, with nearly 1 in 3 children now classified as overweight or obese. Over the same period, the consumption of artificial sweeteners has steadily increased among adults, children, and also pregnant women. Some research suggests that regular consumption of artificial sweeteners may paradoxically increase the risk of obesity and metabolic disease, although little is known about the effect of exposure in utero. Recently in the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study, we found that maternal consumption of artificially sweetened beverages during pregnancy is associated with higher infant body mass index. However, we do not know the biological reason for this association. In this study, we will analyze existing fecal and urine samples from infants in the CHILD cohort to examine their gut microbiome and metabolism. This research will help us understand how artificial sweetener consumption during pregnancy influences infant weight gain. The results will help improve nutrition recommendations for pregnant women and could ultimately contribute to new strategies for childhood obesity prevention.