BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Good and well-balanced diet of a woman during pregnancy helps in the formation of baby's healthy bones, says a new U.K. study.

    According to a study presented Tuesday at the National Osteoporosis Society Conference in Manchester, UK, the researchers said: "Our data add to evidence that environmental influences during intrauterine life alter the trajectory of skeletal development in the offspring."

    Lead study researcher Dr. Zoe Cole of the University of Southampton said children born to mothers with the healthiest diets during late pregnancy had an 11 percent greater whole body bone mineral content and 8 percent great whole body bone area than those born to mothers with the least healthy diet.

    In the study, the researchers analyzed 198 pregnant women. In one group, women maintained a healthful diet, including eating lots of fruits and vegetables, yogurt, whole wheat bread and breakfast cereals. The second group of pregnant women ate large amounts of foods such as chips and roast potatoes, sugar, white bread, processed meat, tinned vegetables and soft drinks.

    Bone assessments of the children made up to age 9 years suggested that consuming a healthy maternal diet was associated with greater bone size and density in the offspring.

    Even when mothers were grouped by smoking status, vitamin D status and social class, the differences in diet still had a significant impact on their children's bones, the researchers found. The relationship between a healthy maternal diet and healthier bones in offspring remained even after the child's height, weight, arm circumference and birth weight were considered.

    (Agencies)