The link between childhood undernutrition and risk of chronic diseases in adulthood: a case study of Brazil.
Obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus are now prevalent among adults living in developing countries; these chronic diseases affect socioeconomically disadvantaged adults living in impoverished families with undernourished children. This review summarizes data from Brazil--a developing country undergoing the nutrition transition--suggesting an association between childhood undernutrition and obesity and chronic degenerative disease. Potential mechanisms for the association include long-term effects of childhood undernutrition on energy expenditure, fat oxidation, regulation of food intake, susceptibility to the effects of high-fat diets, and altered insulin sensitivity. The combination of childhood undernutrition and adult chronic degenerative disease results in enormous social and economic burdens for developing countries. Further research is urgently needed to examine the effect of childhood undernutrition on risk of obesity and chronic degenerative diseases; one goal of such research would be to determine and provide low-cost methods for prevention and treatment.
Sawaya
Ana L
AL
Departamento de Fisiologia, Disciplina de Neurofisiologia e Fisiologia Endócrina, Universidade Federal de Säo Paulo, Rua Botucatu 862, 2nd floor, Säo Paulo, Capital, Brazil, CEP: 04023-060.
Martins
Paula
P
Hoffman
Daniel
D
Roberts
Susan B
SB
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors