The eating habits of a pregnant can affect her baby's chances of developing serious diseases in later life, Wales Online has reported.

Those with dietitian jobs may be interested to hear of the research, which was compiled after a study was undertaken by academics at Cambridge University

A link was found during the study between diet and type 2 diabetes - which could in turn lead to heart disease and kidney failure.

The study revealed that the gene, Hnf4a, is essential in the production and regulation of insulin, but that poor diet in pregnancy can affect the gene's effectiveness and "long-term functioning," according to BBC News.

Consequently, a child is more likely to develop diabetes and then pass it on to their own offspring. 

Scientists based the study on pregnant rats. Whilst changing levels of protein in their diet, scientists found that the rats' babies developed type 2 diabetes in old age, due to a switching off of the gene. The Hnf4a gene is controlled the same way in rats as it is in humans.

Professor Jeremy Pearson of the British Heart Foundation gave his opinion of the results, claiming: "This study in rats adds to the evidence that a mother's diet may sometimes alter the control of certain genes in her unborn child."

The findings followed a conference last week, which was held  by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and emphasised that obesity in pregnancy can cause an increased risk of their child becoming obese and developing type 2 diabetes.  

Dr Susan Ozanne, of Cambridge University, said that it was important to remember that having a healthy diet at any stage of life was important, but claimed: "A healthy well-balanced diet during pregnancy is particularly important because of the impact on the baby long-term and potentially even on the grandchildren as well."