How Experiencing Famine in the Womb May Shape People’s Health as Adults

A recent study published in Science reveals how exposure to famine in the womb significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Focusing on Ukraine’s 1932-1933 Holodomor famine, which killed millions, the research found that individuals exposed during early gestation had double the risk of diabetes compared to those not exposed.

 

This study, which analyzed data from over 10 million people born between 1930 and 1938, underscores the long-term health effects of prenatal malnutrition. Epigenetic changes likely underlie this link, highlighting the critical impact of fetal programming on adult metabolism. This research advances understanding of the enduring health impacts of famine. Read more in STAT news here.