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Updated: Sep 11, 2025
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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Early Roots of Childhood Obesity: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Prevention Strategies
Giuseppina Rosaria Umano1, Simonetta Bellone2, Raffaele Buganza3
1Department of the Woman, the Child, of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 14, 2025
Summary
Early life factors, including maternal health and environment, significantly influence childhood obesity development. Epigenetic changes during development are key molecular mechanisms programming future metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Biology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a major global health issue with complex origins.
- Prenatal and perinatal factors, alongside lifestyle, are increasingly implicated.
- The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm offers a framework for understanding these early influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current findings on early life determinants of childhood obesity.
- To emphasize the molecular and epigenetic pathways involved in obesity development.
- To consolidate insights into early life influences for preventive strategies.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of recent literature (past decade).
- Comprehensive search across multiple databases and international sources.
- Inclusion of both human and animal research.
Main Results:
- Maternal conditions (obesity, comorbidities, nutrition, environment) predispose offspring to metabolic diseases.
- Epigenetic modifications are crucial mediators in obesity development.
- Early life exposures can program long-term health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Early life exposures, particularly during periconceptional, fetal, and neonatal periods, are critical determinants of childhood obesity.
- Epigenetic mechanisms play a significant role in mediating these effects.
- Preventive strategies should commence as early as the preconception period.
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