Pediatr. praxi. 2016;17(5):286-290 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2016.065

Early nutrition and lifelong health

MUDr.Blanka Zlatohlávková, Ph.D.

Neonatologické oddělení Gynekologicko-porodnické kliniky VFN v Praze a 1. LF UK

Klinika dětského a dorostového lékařství VFN v Praze a 1. LF UK

Ústav pro humanitní studia v lékařství 1. LF UK, Praha

The concept of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease presumes that early human development programmes health and

the risk of adult diseases through the processes of developmental plasticity which can create different fenotypes stemming from

a single genotype in response to enviromental signals. Early nutrition is a significant programming factor. Individual long-term

health can be affected by inadequate intrauterine and postnatal nutrition. In order to reduce susceptibility to noncommunicable

diseases preventive measures are most effective in the time of the highest plasticity – during the human reproductive cycle which

includes both pregnancy and breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months of age followed by the introduction of

complementary foods with adequate protein intake and energy together with continued breastfeeding is a basic preventive

measure. Breastfeeding lowers the risk of being overweight or obese in infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. It also

reduces the probability that a future mother will become overweight or obese before conception and during pregnancy and

thereby lowers the risk of fetal overnutrition with all the consequnces for the child’s health.

Keywords: nutritional programming, overweight, obesity, breastfeeding

Published: November 1, 2016  Show citation