Early Life Factors Associated with Lean Body Mass in Spanish Children: CALINA Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition and Body Composition
• Child Development and Health

Background:

• Early life is crucial for body composition programming, with established links between perinatal factors and fat mass.
• Limited research has explored the association between early life factors and lean body mass (LBM) development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between early life factors and lean body mass (LBM) and limb strength in Spanish children.
• To identify specific perinatal and early childhood influences on LBM and muscle function.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 416 Spanish children (ages 6-8) from the CALINA study were assessed.
• Data on parental factors, maternal health during pregnancy, birth characteristics, and early feeding were collected.
• Lean body mass (LBM) and limb strength were measured using bioimpedance analysis, DXA, pQCT, and physical performance tests.

Main Results:

• In girls, maternal smoking, gestational age, and birth weight (BW) positively correlated with fat-free mass (FFM) and lean soft tissue mass (LSTM).
• In boys, parental BMI, BW, and rapid weight gain (RWG) showed positive associations with FFM/LSTM.
• Birth weight (BW) was linked to handgrip strength in both sexes, while maternal BMI (girls) and RWG (boys) negatively impacted standing long jump performance.

Conclusions:

• Early life programming plays a significant role in determining children's lean body mass (LBM).
• Specific early life factors differentially influence LBM and strength in boys and girls.
• Understanding these early influences can inform strategies for optimizing childhood body composition and physical development.