From Conception to Infancy - Early Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Endocrinol

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2019 Jul 5

PMID 31270440

Citations 61

Authors

Elvira Larque

Idoia Labayen

Carl-Erik Flodmark

Inge Lissau

Sarah Czernin

Luis A Moreno

Angelo Pietrobelli

Kurt Widhalm

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Maternal lifestyle during pregnancy, as well as early nutrition and the environment infants are raised in, are considered relevant factors for the prevention of childhood obesity. Several models are available for the prediction of childhood overweight and obesity, yet most have not been externally validated. Moreover, the factors considered in the models differ among studies as the outcomes manifest after birth and depend on maturation processes that vary between individuals. The current Review examines and interprets data on the early determinants of childhood obesity to provide relevant strategies for daily clinical work. We evaluate a selection of prenatal and postnatal factors associated with child adiposity. Actions to be considered for preventing childhood obesity include the promotion of healthy maternal nutrition and weight status at reproductive age and during pregnancy, as well as careful monitoring of infant growth to detect early excessive weight gain. Paediatricians and other health-care professionals should provide scientifically validated, individual nutritional advice to families to counteract excessive adiposity in children. Based on systematic reviews, original papers and scientific reports, we provide information to help with setting up public health strategies to prevent overweight and obesity in childhood.

Citing Articles

Differential Impacts of Prenatal Supplement Intake on Childhood Obesity Markers, Stratified by Gender and Other Prenatal Factors.

Batra M, Bekele Y, Halilagic A, Manios Y, Moschonis G, Erbas B J Obes. 2025; 2025:3257488.

PMID: 39967838 PMC: 11832260. DOI: 10.1155/jobe/3257488.

Socioecological correlates of parental lifestyle patterns during the antenatal period.

Lecorguille M, Schipper M, Aubert A, Douglass A, Tafflet M, Vrijheid M Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2025; 22(1):18.

PMID: 39948636 PMC: 11827224. DOI: 10.1186/s12966-024-01697-1.

Effectiveness of behavioural and psychological interventions for managing obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis framed using minimal important difference estimates based on GRADE guidance to inform a clinical....

Henderson M, Moore S, Harnois-Leblanc S, Johnston B, Fitzpatrick-Lewis D, Usman A Pediatr Obes. 2025; 20(3):e13193.

PMID: 39823182 PMC: 11803187. DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.13193.

Control of tuberal hypothalamic development and its implications in metabolic disorders.

Placzek M, Chinnaiya K, Kim D, Blackshaw S Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2024; 21(2):118-130.

PMID: 39313573 PMC: 11864813. DOI: 10.1038/s41574-024-01036-1.

Early life factors that affect obesity and the need for complex solutions.

Hesketh K, Zheng M, Campbell K Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2024; 21(1):31-44.

PMID: 39313572 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-024-01035-2.

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