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Childhood obesity: a (re) programming disease?
S T Paes1, C F Gonçalves1, M M Terra1
11Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora,Juiz de Fora,MG,Brasil.
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
|October 27, 2015
Summary
Early life metabolic programming, influenced by nutrition and exercise, significantly impacts childhood obesity development. Environmental factors during pregnancy and childhood play a crucial role in epigenetic modifications related to obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Metabolic Health
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Metabolic (re)programming is increasingly recognized as a key factor in obesity development.
- Epigenetic modifications are proposed mechanisms linking early life exposures to long-term metabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on the effects of metabolic (re)programming on childhood obesity.
- To analyze international findings on the role of epigenetics in childhood obesity.
- To provide a theoretical basis for understanding early life influences on obesity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE databases (June-August 2014).
- Keywords used: children obesity, epigenetic, metabolic programming, exercise, nutrition.
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria applied to 132 eligible abstracts, resulting in 50 selected studies.
Main Results:
- Most studies linked obesity development and treatment to epigenetically stimulated metabolic programming.
- Early life exposures, including nutrition and exercise, were associated with altered metabolic behavior.
- These epigenetic changes can occur during pregnancy and childhood, potentially delaying or initiating obesity.
Conclusions:
- Childhood obesity development is strongly linked to metabolic programming influenced by early environmental factors.
- Epigenetic mechanisms mediate the impact of nutrition and exercise on obesogenic metabolic behavior.
- Understanding these early programming effects is crucial for childhood obesity prevention and treatment strategies.
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