title: Amount and quality of dietary proteins during the first two years of life in relation to NCD risk in adulthood.
abstract: During late infancy many infants have a protein intake, which is more than three times as high as the physiological need. Several observational studies have shown an association between a high-protein intake (>15 energy %) early in life and an increased risk of developing obesity and thereby non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in life. This effect was supported by a recent intervention study with infant formulas with two levels of protein, showing that a higher protein intake during the first year of life resulted in a higher body mass index (BMI) at age 2 years. It is also plausible that an important reason for the slower growth in breast-fed infants is the lower content of protein in breastmilk, but other qualities of breastmilk could also play a role. A high intake of protein, especially dairy protein, stimulates the growth factors insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and insulin, and it has been suggested that the lower risk of NCDs in breast-fed infants is mediated through a regulation of IGF-I. A low quality of protein, as in cereal-based diets with no animal foods as often seen in low-income countries, may contribute to undernutrition, which can also result in an increased risk of NCDs later in life. In conclusion, there is some evidence that a high protein intake during the complementary feeding period is associated with increased risk of NCDs and that avoidance of a high protein intake could reduce the risk of obesity. In low-income countries, emphasis should be on providing sufficient amounts of high-quality protein to improve survival, growth and development.
authors: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. kfm@life.ku.dk
authors: K F
authors: KF
authors: Michaelsen
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Larnkjær
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Mølgaard
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009929:Organ Size; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I