Childhood overweight and obesity – identifying early risk factors

Background: The incidence of childhood obesity is increasing. Many children become obese during preschool years and stay obese, with lifelong health consequences, such as impaired insulin sensitivity. There is growing evidence that factors during intrauterine life and infancy influence the risk of developing obesity. The aim was to describe early factors in infancy related to childhood obesity. Research questions: Is waist circumference an auxological variable to be used in early childhood and is this variable related to early metabolic markers? Can biomarkers of bone and nutrition during infancy predict the development of childhood obesity and insulin resistance? How is the gut microbiota established during infancy and influenced by nutrition? Is any gut microbiota pattern during infancy associated with subsequent weight gain or the development of childhood obesity?