Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Nature and Nurture

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...

Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology explores the changes and continuities in human abilities throughout life, encompassing physical, cognitive, linguistic, and social dimensions. Human development is not restricted to growth, but includes aspects of decline, particularly in physical abilities as individuals age. Developmental psychologists seek to understand how people change as they age and how their mental and social skills evolve.Developmental MilestonesA key concept in developmental psychology is...

Human Genetics

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...

The Nativist Approach

The Nativist Approach

The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The Antimicrobial and Host Defense Peptides of <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>.

Annual review of microbiology·2025

Same author

A multicountry, multicenter report to identify nutritional risks in female populations using the FIGO Nutrition Checklist.

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·2025

Same author

Accountability for tackling childhood obesity: insights from local councillors in England.

Journal of public health policy·2025

Same author

Varying phylogenetic signal in susceptibility to four bacterial pathogens across species of Drosophilidae.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2025

Same author

Climate and health: a path to strategic co-financing?

Health policy and planning·2024

Same author

The Role of the Public Health Workforce in Securing Political Commitment for Tackling Childhood Obesity in Local Government.

Health promotion practice·2024

Same journal

Early nutrition: impact on short- and long-term health. Concluding remarks.

Nestle Nutrition workshop series. Paediatric programme·2011

Same journal

Igf-I signaling and effects on longevity.

Nestle Nutrition workshop series. Paediatric programme·2011

Same journal

Early life nutrition and bone development in children.

Nestle Nutrition workshop series. Paediatric programme·2011

Same journal

Infant feeding practices and subsequent development of adipose tissue.

Nestle Nutrition workshop series. Paediatric programme·2011

Same journal

Early feeding practices and their impact on development of celiac disease.

Nestle Nutrition workshop series. Paediatric programme·2011

Same journal

Learning to prefer the familiar in obesogenic environments.

Nestle Nutrition workshop series. Paediatric programme·2011

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

Developmental perspectives on individual variation: implications for understanding nutritional needs.

Peter D Gluckman¹, Alan S Beedle, Mark A Hanson

¹Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Nestle Nutrition Workshop Series. Paediatric Programme

|July 16, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Developmental plasticity and epigenetics explain biological variation better than genetics alone. Epigenetic biomarkers may predict developmental mismatch and enable early nutritional interventions for metabolic disorders.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Epigenetics
Metabolic health

Background:

Genetic linkages to complex traits show limited explanatory power.
Developmental plasticity and epigenetic processes, influenced by environment, are key drivers of biological variation.
Early environmental cues can shape later-life adaptive responses through epigenetics.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the clinical significance of epigenetic processes in development.
To understand how environmental factors influence epigenetic modifications and subsequent phenotypes.
To investigate the concept of developmental mismatch and its role in metabolic disorders.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental and clinical evidence linking environmental factors, epigenetics, and metabolic health.
Analysis of the role of epigenetic mechanisms in mediating life history and physiological changes.
Exploration of epigenetic biomarkers for predicting developmental mismatch.

Main Results:

Epigenetic mechanisms, influenced by early environmental cues, play a significant role in determining phenotype.
Developmental mismatch, arising from discordant fetal and postnatal environments, can lead to metabolic disorders.
Individual capacity to adapt to energetic environments is influenced by developmental epigenetic factors.

Conclusions:

Epigenetic processes are crucial for understanding biological variation and adaptation.
Developmental mismatch poses a risk for metabolic disorders.
Epigenetic biomarkers hold potential for identifying at-risk individuals and guiding interventions.