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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Children's nutrition and health in adulthood

Chantal Maurage1

  • 1Centre de Pédiatrie Clocheville, Université Rabelais de Tours, 49 Boulevard Beranger, FR-37044 Tours, France. maurage@med.univ-tours.fr

Appetite
|April 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Early life nutrition and physical activity impact metabolic programming, influencing long-term health and preventing obesity. Breastfeeding is key for primary allergy prevention in high-risk infants.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Pediatric Health
  • Metabolic Programming

Background:

  • Environmental factors, including diet and physical activity, significantly alter metabolic programming.
  • Infant size and growth are linked to preventing obesity later in life.
  • Birth weight correlates with cardiovascular health markers and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of early life factors on metabolic programming and long-term health outcomes.
  • To highlight the role of infant nutrition and growth in obesity prevention.
  • To discuss interventions during pregnancy and lactation for health programming.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of studies on infant size and growth.
  • Analysis of correlations between birth weight, blood pressure, lipid levels, and cardiovascular mortality.
  • Review of data supporting interventions in pregnancy and lactation.

Main Results:

  • Infant diet and physical activity influence metabolic programming.
  • Early life nutrition and growth are critical for preventing later obesity.
  • Breastfeeding for 4-6 months offers primary prevention for allergies in high-risk families.

Conclusions:

  • Early life interventions, including nutrition and breastfeeding, are crucial for metabolic health and disease prevention.
  • Lower protein recommendations are suggested by the European Nutrition Committee.
  • Controlling rising obesity rates is a public health priority, achievable through early life strategies.

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