OBJECTIVES: To review lifestyle and genetic factors during pregnancy and early childhood in South Asian population living in Europe that may influence later risks of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, T2DM and CVD METHODS: A systematic search, using controlled and free terms (i.e.- metabolic-syndrome, glucose-intolerance, diabetes-mellitus, pregnancy, foetal development, life-style, nutrition) was conducted in Medline, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and Cochrane Library databases. It was completed by pearling and hand-searching. Two reviewers assessed independently the results retrieved in the search, to adopt a decision on inclusion/exclusion. The quality of included papers was appraised with STROBE checklist for observational studies and Centre for Evidence Based Medicine checklists for any other study design. The present review is part of the GIFTS project funded by Seventh Framework Programme of European Commission. RESULTS: A total of 349 papers were identified, after title and abstract revision 76 full text were retrieved plus 8 identified through pearling. To date 67 full texts have been assessed, 49 excluded and 18 included. 14 (78%) were conducted in the UK. South Asian pregnant women were at higher risk of developing GDM (OR ranged 2-5.6) and intrauterine growth retardation (OR ranged 2-5) than European counterparts. These factors contributed to higher rates of stillbirth, perinatal and neonatal mortality and congenital anomalies detected in South Asian origin women. As well as higher rates of babies with vitamin D deficiency, hypocalcaemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidaemia, hypoglycaemia and lower birthweight. Also higher risk of rapid weight gain between 12 to 24 months and 3 to 5 years in Asian infants was reported in two different papers. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences between Asian women living in Europe and European women during pregnancy, and their offspring, which as early life factors might explain higher prevalence of later metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in Asian migrant population.