Early life predictors of chronic disease.
Many chronic diseases may have their seeds early in life. Observations from the Dutch famine have taught us that the intrauterine environment is an important determinant of adult health. Birth weight has been related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Critical phases for adult obesity development include time periods between conception and adolescence. A life course approach to chronic disease prevention includes the study of maternal diet during pregnancy, intrauterine exposures, postnatal growth, and the adolescent period.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. kmichels@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Karin B
KB
Michels
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors