Research Projects

Maternal Antecedents of Adiposity and Studying the Transgenerational role of Hyperglycemia and Insulin (MAASTHI) is a cohort study in the public health facilities in Bangalore, India. The objective of MAASTHI is to prospectively assess the effects of glucose levels in pregnancy on the risk of adverse infant outcomes, especially in predicting the possible risk markers of later chronic diseases. The primary objective of the proposed study is to investigate the effect of glucose levels in pregnancy on skinfold thickness (adiposity) in infancy as a marker of future obesity and diabetes in offspring. The secondary objective is to assess the association between psychosocial environment of mothers and adverse neonatal outcomes including adiposity. Pregnant women with a gestational period of less than 36 weeks will be recruited. A baseline questionnaire is administered that includes socio-economic status, Standard of Living Index, 24-hour dietary recall, dietary habits, physical activity, obstetrics history, psychosocial stressors and social support. Weight, height, sitting height, skinfold thickness of biceps, triceps and subscapular skinfold will be recorded. Blood pressure is measured using an automated BP apparatus. All women underwent an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) at 24 to 36 weeks of gestation. They were asked to fast for a minimum 8 h prior to the study visit, where fasting samples was drawn. Subsequently, 75 g of glucose was given and the postprandial sample was drawn after two hours.