Protein Intake during the First Two Years of Life and Its Association with Growth and Risk of Overweight

Abstract

Growth patterns early in life could exert a long-term impact on overweight and obesity development. Among all potential manipulative factors, infant diet is one of the most influential and could affect growth and subsequent health status during adolescence and adulthood. Dietary protein, as an important macronutrient in infants’ diet, has been of special interest to researchers. Compared with human milk, infant formula tends to have a higher protein content and is associated with greater weight gain and later-in-life obesity risk. However, the effect of protein from other sources on infant growth trajectories during complementary feeding is not clear. Emerging research suggests that meat protein during early complementary feeding promotes linear growth while not increasing risk of overweight compared with dairy protein; and the gut microbiota might be a mediator between protein quality and growth trajectories. This review addresses the current knowledge of protein intake from birth to 24 months and its relationship with growth and risk of overweight.

Relationship between dietary patterns and stunting in preschool children: a cohort analysis from Kwale, Kenya

“…A sensitivity to food intake of children in this age range has also been reported for child obesity, 19,20 although similar reports about stunting are limited. 21 The nutritional sensitivity for both stunting and obesity can be explained by the enhanced degree of child growth during these months of age.…”

Selected aspects of child nutrition and the risk of obesity

“…Most formulas based on modified cow's milk contain a higher amount of protein than human milk. This phenomenon is considered to be a key factor contributing to faster weight gain in artificially fed children, also known as the early protein supply hypothesis [6]. Excess protein in the infant's diet, especially branched chain amino acids, contributes to the excessive secretion of insulin and IGF-1, activates signaling pathways of mTOR cell growth and enhances adipogenesis [7].…”

¿Qué aspectos considerar al iniciar el tratamiento nutricional para Fenilcetonuria?

“…21,22 La leche materna contiene menor cantidad de proteína y por lo tanto de PHE en comparación con fórmulas infantiles, una alta ingestión proteica en la infancia se ha relacionado con un riesgo más alto de obesidad. 23 Existen diferentes métodos para administrar la leche materna en los pacientes con PKU: 1) proporcionar una cantidad calculada de fórmula médica sin PHE seguida de lactancia materna a libre demanda, 2) extraer leche materna y proporcionar una cantidad calculada seguida de fórmula médica libre de PHE a libre demanda y 3) alternar las tomas al pecho o leche materna extraída y alimentación con fórmula médica libre de PHE. 24 Es necesario valorar con los padres del paciente la técnica más adecuada para lograr el óptimo control de la PHE en base a las costumbres, hábitos del paciente y su familia.…”