Association Between Fat Mass in Early Life and Later Fat Mass Trajectories

In this study, only the change in FM% in the first 6 months of life was associated with more adiposity at age 2 years. Infants with a rapid increase in FM% had higher trajectories of FM% and FM index during the first 2 years of life. These findings appear to support a critical window for adiposity programming in early life.

Question  
Is a rapid increase in fat mass percentage in early life associated with higher trajectories of body fat mass during the first 2 years of life?

Findings  
In a cohort study of 401 infants, only the change in fat mass percentage during the first 6 months of life was associated with fat mass percentage and abdominal subcutaneous fat mass at age 2 years. A rapid increase in fat mass percentage during that period was associated with higher trajectories of body fat mass during the first 2 years of life.

Meaning  
The data from this study suggest that the first 6 months of life are a critical window for adiposity programming, which may have major implications for primary health care.

Article details:

- Title: Association Between Fat Mass in Early Life and Later Fat Mass Trajectories
- Authors: Kirsten S. de Fluiter, MD; Inge A. L. P. van Beijsterveldt, MD; Laura M. Breij, MD, PhD; Dennis Acton, PhD; Anita C. S. Hokken-Koelega, MD, PhD
- Published in: JAMA Pediatrics 174(12)
- Link: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.2673