The present disclosure is directed to the administration of specific carbohydrate systems to a pregnant woman for reducing long term adverse health effects, including obesity and sarcopenia, in the offspring later in life. The carbohydrate system includes a slow rate of digestion simple carbohydrate and a complex carbohydrate in combination with a non-absorbent carbohydrate and/or an indigestible carbohydrate. The carbohydrate system may also be administered to the woman during lactation to further the reduction of long term adverse health effects, including obesity, in the offspring later in life.