Insufficient diet can be bad for men, women and children alike. Even in utero, getting adequate levels of vitamins and minerals can have a substantial effect on later health outcomes. Fetuses that are exposed to poor nutrient levels are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes as adults, according to new scientific findings.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences recently announced that poor maternal diet causes genetic changes that increase a child’s risk of developing diabetes later in life.

Specifically, unhealthy maternal eating habits appear to make epigenetic changes that keep one stretch of DNA, the Hnf4a gene, from fully expressing itself in adulthood. The restriction of this gene has previously been linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

Even in young adulthood, these effects could appear. Approximately 215,000 Americans under the age of 20 have type 2 diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

To ensure proper vitamin levels at any time, adults may try taking , particularly those that supply the recommended daily doses of key nutrients.