The Global Epidemic of Noncommunicable Disease: The Role of Early-Life Factors

Abstract

The rapid increase in prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is probably the most important global health problem of the 21st century. Already in every region except Africa, NCDs account for greater mortality than communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions combined. Although modifiable lifestyle behaviors in adult life are the main risk factors, substantial evidence now suggests that factors in early life also have a major role in the development of NCDs. For instance, breastfeeding and a slower pattern of infant weight gain have been shown to reduce the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in both low-income and high-income countries. The mechanisms involved are poorly understood, but include epigenetic changes and resetting of endocrine systems that affect energy metabolism and appetite. These early life factors may interact with and exacerbate the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle and energy-dense diets later in life. As a consequence, the impact of early-life factors on long-term health may be particularly important in low- and middle-income countries, which face the fastest increases in urbanization and greatest changes to lifestyle. Strategies to optimize infant nutrition could therefore make a major contribution to stemming the current global epidemic of NCD.

Follow-up between 6 and 24 months after discharge from treatment for severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6-59 months: A systematic review

“…A study from India that followed-up children between one and three, and five and seven years after an episode of SAM found that their mean WHZ was higher than their siblings who had not experienced malnutrition [ 21 ]. Whilst it is reassuring that complete or near-complete catch-up in WHZ is possible, there are potentially important life-course implications for these children as suggested by the accumulation of evidence on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHAD) highlighting associations between rapid weight gain in infancy and later risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) [ 43 ].…”

Early life nutrition and the opportunity to influence long-term health: an Australasian perspective

“…Critical time periods have been identified, both before conception and during fetal and postnatal development, where exposure to environmental factors, including altered nutrition, can cause adaptations to occur in the growing fetus and infant. 1,2 Although these effects may be adaptive in the short term, they may also be associated with adverse outcomes in childhood and later life, including a greater risk of obesity, 3 type 2 diabetes, heart disease 4-7 and allergy. 8 Significant contributions to this literature have been made by a number of long-term studies such as the British-based Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children 9,10 and the Dutch-based Generation R Study.…”

The prophylactic effect of bovine colostrum on respiratory infection and diarrhea in formula-fed infants: a randomized trial

“…Defense against infectious disease is a matter of the highest importance for the health and development of children in developing countries. Breastfeeding is the most cost-effective intervention for protecting children against infectious diseases and all causes of mortality [4] . It is generally assumed that the protection is due to multiple anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulatory factors transmitted through milk [5,6] .…”