This research topic focuses on the crucial role of maternal and infant nutrition in shaping health outcomes, particularly through its impact on breast milk composition, infant gut microbiota, and long-term development. Maternal nutrition and health conditions during pregnancy and lactation, such as gestational diabetes and micronutrient deficiencies, can significantly influence the quality of breast milk and, consequently, the infant’s early nutritional status. This early nutrition, including breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary foods, plays a pivotal role in establishing the infant's gut microbiota.

A growing body of evidence suggests that early-life nutrition is essential not only for immediate growth and development but also for influencing the intergenerational transmission of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. However, a notable gap in current research is the lack of large-scale, long-term studies that comprehensively examine the relationship between maternal diet, early nutrition, infant health, and the mechanisms driving the intergenerational transmission of these diseases. Furthermore, the influence of cultural and socioeconomic factors on breastfeeding practices and the effectiveness of public health support policies remains insufficiently explored.

This research topic will fill these gaps by conducting longitudinal studies to assess the long-term health effects of maternal and infant nutrition, exploring the mechanisms of microbiome and metabolic pathways, and focusing on maternal and infant nutrition support across diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts. This will provide the foundation for optimizing public health policies and improving health outcomes.

1. Breast Milk, Gut Microbiota, and Infant Growth
• Effects of breast milk components on the infant intestinal flora
• Modulation of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria by non-nutritive components

2. Influence of the Mother's Nutritional Status and Health on Infant Development
• Gestational diabetes and its effects on breast milk and infant microbiota
• Vitamin D's role in maternal and infant nutrition
• Fatty acid metabolism and its impact on infant growth

3. Infant Gut Microbiota and Intergenerational Transmission of Non-Communicable Diseases
• Interaction between mother and baby microbiota
• Mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of non-communicable diseases

4. Impact of Complementary Feeding Introduction on Health and Metabolism
• Timing and types of complementary feeding
• Homemade vs. commercial complementary foods
• Early nutrition’s influence on immune system development and allergy incidence
• Early life nutrition and chronic non communicable diseases

5. Public Health Policies and Challenges in Breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding support programs and policies
• Cultural and socioeconomic influences on breastfeeding
• The role of healthcare providers in breastfeeding support
• Innovations in breastfeeding education

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Frontiers in Nutrition

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