Early Childhood Malnutrition Increases Metabolic Syndrome in Adulthood

Abstract

The effects of childhood malnutrition on adult metabolic health are poorly understood. In the past decade, the prevalence of cardio‐metabolic diseases has risen in developing countries, suggesting a correlation between early malnutrition and adult metabolic health. To address this relationship we assessed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and related risk factors in previously malnourished and healthy control adult participants (age 33‐47) in the Barbados Nutrition Study (BNS) The BNS is a 47‐year longitudinal study, following individuals with histories of malnutrition limited to the first year of life– who were enrolled in an intervention program through 12 years of age– and healthy controls from the same classrooms and neighborhoods. This study examined the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome, defined by the International Diabetes Federation, in previously malnourished (n=80) and controls (n=68). Multiple regression analysis, controlling for gender, age and childhood socioeconomic status was applied. Results demonstrated a significant effect of malnutrition on diabetes and metabolic syndrome (adjusted OR=4.8 and 3.8, respectively; p<0.05). Additionally, there was a significant effect of the nutrition x gender interaction on metabolic syndrome. The interaction was the result of a significant effect of gender on metabolic syndrome in controls (adjusted OR=8.6 p<0.05) but no effect of gender in the malnourished group. We have confirmed malnutrition in childhood contributes to higher risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Further investigation into the metabolic programming following childhood malnutrition is warranted to identify underlying mechanisms, which can result in better prevention and treatment strategies.Acknowledgements: This research was supported by NIH grant HD060986.