The concept of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) grew from the earlier concept of fetal origins of adult disease (FOAD) (reviewed in Barker 1995, 1998). There are two important reasons for the change. The first results from the large amount of research (much of it reviewed in this book) showing that the early life events which determine in part the risk of later disease occur not only in the fetal period specifically, but throughout the plastic phase of development. In this respect the use of the word ‘development’ is helpful because it implies not only effects operating during early stages of embryonic life (usually the preserve of developmental biology) but also those in infancy. Secondly, the DOHaD terminology emphasises that this area of science has implications not only for disease, and its prevention, but also for health promotion. The latter is of great importance in public health and education programmes in many parts of the world. But the accent on ‘developmental origins’ is more than just a flag of convenience under which several disciplines may sail: it represents a fundamental shift in thinking about the way in which early life processes affect later health and disease in humans.

Previously, proponents of FOAD championed the view that prenatal events were of utmost importance.