Nutritional influences over the life course on lean body mass of individuals in developing countries

Abstract

The double burden of childhood undernutrition and adult-onset adiposity in transitioning societies poses a significant public health challenge. The development of suboptimal lean body mass (LBM) could partly explain the link between these two forms of malnutrition. This review examines the evidence on both the role of nutrition in “developmental programming” of LBM and the nutritional influences that affect LBM throughout the life course. Studies from developing countries assessing the relationship of early nutrition with later LBM provide important insights. Overall, the evidence is consistent in suggesting a positive association of early nutritional status (indicated by birth weight and growth during first 2 years) with LBM in later life. Evidence on the impact of maternal nutritional supplementation during pregnancy on later LBM is inconsistent. In addition, the role of nutrients (protein, zinc, calcium, vitamin D) that can affect LBM throughout the life course is described. Promoting optimal intakes of these important nutrients throughout the life course is important for reducing childhood undernutrition as well as for improving the LBM of adults.

Linear Growth and Fat and Lean Tissue Gain during Childhood: Associations with Cardiometabolic and Cognitive Outcomes in Adolescent Indian Children

“…It is encouraging that later linear and lean tissue growth did not seem to predict higher cardiometabolic risk. This may have important implications for improving quality of life through promoting growth in these components in those who had compromised early growth, because linear and lean tissue gain even in childhood is important for optimum adulthood body composition [ 29 ]. Greater length at birth and faster linear growth at all ages were related to increased current height as expected.…”

Birth weight, birth order, and age at first solid food introduction influence child growth and body composition in 6‐ to 8‐year‐old Maya children: The importance of the first 1000 days of life

“…This 1000 days includes 270 days of prenatal development +365 days of first postnatal year +365 days of the second postnatal year. Poor environmental conditions during this period are associated with unhealthy patterns of growth and development in later life and with higher morbidity and mortality rates in adulthood (Chandler‐Laney, Gower, & Fields, ; Gluckman, Hanson, Cooper, & Thornburg, ; Hanson & Gluckman, ; Kulkarni, Hills, & Byrne, ; Kuzawa, ; Martorell & Zongrone, ; Sayers, Singh, Mott, McDonnell, & Hoy, ; Wells, , , ).…”

Precocious glucocorticoid exposure reduces skeletal muscle satellite cells in the fetal rat

“…Low birth weight has been associated with abnormalities in adult body composition, including altered fat distribution and reduced muscle mass and strength (Kulkarni et al 2014; Yliharsila et al 2007). Additionally, historical cohort studies have shown positive correlations between birth weight and muscle mass and strength throughout life (Phillips 1995; Hediger et al 1998; Kahn et al 2000; Gale et al 2001; Singhal et al 2003; Sayer et al 2004), suggesting that a reduced muscle mass may be programmed permanently by influences during intrauterine life that result in low birth weight.…”