Many studies have indicated an inverse relation between birth weight and risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases in adulthood. The “fetal origins” hypothesis proposes that a number of organ structures and functions undergo programming during embryonic and fetal life. Alterations in fetal nutrition and endocrine status result in permanent changes in the structure, physiology and metabolism, thereby predisposing individuals to cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine diseases in adult life. Other mechanisms by which adult diseases may be programmed include increased glucocorticoid exposure, genetic and epigenetic links, intergenerational effects, and periconceptional events. Anahtar Kelimeler : erişkin hastalıklar, fetal programlama, beslenme