The diet of pregnant mothers plays a significant role in the chances of their children developing asthma, a seven-year-long health study by academics from University College Dublin (UCD) has found.
The study found a direct link in the condition with the eating habits of mothers.
While asthma rates are increasing in countries throughout the Western world, medics remain unclear as to the cause of the surge.
The UCD survey found the more fruit, vegetables and oily fish a pregnant mother ate the less likely her child would develop asthma by the age of three.
On the other hand, expectant mothers who consumed relatively higher spreadable fats had a higher risk of having a child with the respiratory condition.
"These findings warrant further investigation as they imply an important role for maternal diet in childhood asthma," the study's authors insisted.
The Lifeways Cross Generational Studyon health status in Ireland studied almost 40,000 people on a range of social, dietary and other issues over seven years. It also highlighted the "inherent problem" of eating disorders among schoolchildren, particularly adolescent girls.
A cross section of 2,469 children in the survey showed that almost a third were underweight, and more disturbingly, more than one in ten of that group thought they were too fat.
That group were said to be "at risk" of eating disorders and were more likely to be unhappy with life, their looks, academic performance, diet and being bullied.
The study's authors said that eating disorders among school children were linked to increased rates of smoking, alcohol and drug use, depression and suicide.
There is presently no large scale research into eating disorders among schoolchildren although some previous studies show it is on the increase, and the age of onset getting younger, the report noted.
The research also claims older people are being increasingly marginalised in Ireland and urges a new National Strategy for Older People. "The vulnerability of older people should be protected where warranted, particularly in respect to the regulation of long-stay care," the authors state.
"But it is equally important not to stereotype all older people as vulnerable and constantly in need of intervention and support. "That is not the reality and repeatedly caricaturing older people as dependent is ageist in itself. "Older people have the capacity to contribute much more to society than we currently allow them, in relation to work, volunteering, wisdom and culture."
President Mary McAleese said the research, for the Health Research Board Unit, would help the country adapt to a rapidly changing environment. "It will also help us to target intelligently specific areas of need, especially among disadvantaged and marginalised groups who present deep-rooted difficulties, the very people who can get overlooked in broad-sweep approaches," she said.
PA