[Revisiting the Forsdahl-Barker hypothesis]

Area of Science:

• Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)
• Environmental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Extensive research over two decades supports the hypothesis that early life environmental exposures are crucial for later health outcomes.
• Methodological challenges, including socio-economic confounding, exist, yet substantial evidence confirms the early life environment's essential role.

Discussion:

• The most consistent finding is the association between low birthweight and increased risk of adult cardiovascular disease, with causal pathways yet to be fully elucidated.
• Inadequate nutrition during critical early life periods may lead to permanent damage and chronic diseases later in life.
• Further research needs to refine measurement parameters for early life experiences to understand underlying mechanisms.

Key Insights:

• Early life environment is a critical determinant of long-term health and development.
• Low birthweight is a significant predictor of future cardiovascular disease.
• Nutrition, placenta function, infections, and genetic factors may mediate these effects.

Outlook:

• A course-of-life approach is necessary, acknowledging that continuous life events and socio-economic factors can modify early life influences.
• Refining measurement of early life experiences is key to uncovering specific causal pathways.
• Integrating multiple factors provides a more comprehensive perspective on early life's impact on lifelong health.