B3459 - Is the association between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and breastfeeding outcome mediated by changes in maternal DNA methylation - 03/02/2020

B number: 
B3459
Principal applicant name: 
Sinead English | School of Biological Sciences (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
Dr Doretta Caramaschi, Ms Chloe Bennett
Title of project: 
Is the association between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and breastfeeding outcome mediated by changes in maternal DNA methylation?
Proposal summary: 

Previous research has shown that maternal BMI (body mass index) is associated with reduced breastfeeding. Several studies have shown that increased maternal BMI can affect biological processes such as lactogenesis and that societal factors surrounding increased maternal BMI such as low body confidence can affect breastfeeding. Less is known, however, about any underlying genetic or epigenetic associations between maternal BMI and breastfeeding outcome. We ask to what extent the relationship between maternal BMI and breastfeeding outcome is mediated by changes in the mother’s epigenome, whether any differentially expressed genetic regions are associated with appetite or weight regulation, and how stable these epigenetic associations are across time.

Impact of research: 
Obesity rates in the UK are increasing and having a profound effect on the health and wellbeing of the population. Breastfeeding provides a range of benefits to a growing child that continue into adulthood. It is important to better understand the underlying association between maternal obesity and reduction in breastfeeding initiation and duration to increase breastfeeding rates in the UK. If biological mechanisms behind reduced breastfeeding are better understood, then relevant health incentives can be targeted towards susceptible groups within the population.
Date proposal received: 
Monday, 3 February, 2020
Date proposal approved: 
Monday, 3 February, 2020
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Diabetes, Statistical methods, BMI, Breast feeding, Epigenetics