Dietary patterns acquired in early life are associated with cardiometabolic markers at school age

Abstract

Background & aims: it has previously been described that dietary patterns established early in life tracked to late childhood. The aim of the present work was to analyse the association of dietary patterns that tracked from 2 to 8y with cardiometabolic markers at 8y of age. Methods: The 3 identified patterns at 2y (that previous analyses showed to track to age 8y) were: "Core DP ", loaded for vegetables, fruits, fish, olive oil, etc.; "F&S DP ", loaded by poor-quality fats and sugars; and "Protein DP ", mainly loaded by animal protein sources. Cardiometabolic markers at 8y were systolic blood pressure (SBP), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and triglycerides, and BMI z-score. To examine whether the association of diet with the outcomes was the result of a direct effect of diet at either two or 8y, or synergy between them, we used structural equation models. Results: the associations between the patterns and the health outcomes were: Core DP was inversely associated with SBP and HOMA-IR; Protein DP was directly associated with HOMA-IR and SBP; and adherence to F&S DP was directly associated with triglycerides and SBP. The associations between the patterns and the health outcomes were independent of BMI and were the result of a direct effect of diet at 2y, an indirect effect of diet at 2y through diet at 8y or a combination between both pathways. Conclusion: dietary patterns acquired in early life, persisting to later childhood, were associated with cardiometabolic markers at school age independently of BMI.

Nutrient intakes from complementary foods are associated with cardiometabolic biomarkers among undernourished Peruvian children

“…Our results should be interpreted within the context of adequate protein intake, and cardiometabolic profiles frequently characterised by low HDL-c, but very little overweight or obesity (27) . While inadequate protein growth can lead to poor growth outcomes, high protein intake, especially MFP protein, is associated with increased weight gain during infancy and correlates with later obesity (1) , but decreased risk of cardiometabolic disease for individuals who were stunted as children (21) . Protein intake is also highly related to overall dietary quality (23) .…”

“…These findings are supported by studies from HICs which have found that protein intake, and the ratio of animal to plant protein, are negatively associated with diverse components of cardiometabolic health (22,23) . In HICs, positive, negative and null associations have been reported between protein intake in infancy and cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, triglycerides and serum insulin (1,24,25) . This lack of consistency may derive from the fact that the relationship between specific nutrients and cardiometabolic risk is complex, and nutrients are often consumed in relation to other aspects of diet, which may be risk-promoting or protective.…”

“…A nutritious childhood diet is necessary for appropriate growth and development. Dietary patterns established early in childhood set the stage for diets in later older childhood ( 1 ) . They may also impact cardiometabolic risk through excess weight gain, or through alterations in metabolic pathways established during key periods of developmental plasticity ( 2 ) .…”

Integrated Approaches to Combatting Childhood Obesity

“…It seems that eating habits acquired in the first 2 years of life are unchanged at 8 years of age. Thus, the adoption of healthy eating habits in preschool and school-aged children should be promoted as early as possible [32].…”

Eating order and childhood obesity among preschoolers in China: A cross-sectional study

“…Dietary patterns established in early childhood can persist into adulthood ( 9 , 12 ). The pattern and quality of diet in childhood are longitudinally associated with weight and cardiometabolic markers ( 13 , 14 ). Therefore, early childhood is a critical period for dietary education and development of eating habits ( 15 ).…”