title: Evo-devo of Child Growth: The Role of Weaning in the Transition from Infancy to Childhood.
abstract: Homo sapiens are unique in having a life history phase of childhood, which follows infancy, as defined by breastfeeding. This review uses evolutionary life history theory in understanding child growth in a broad evolutionary perspective, using the data and theory of evolutionary predictive adaptive growth-related strategies for transition from infancy to childhood. We have previously shown that a delayed infancy-childhood transition has a lifelong impact on stature. Feeding practices during infancy are fundamental elements of nutrition as they program for future growth and body composition. A relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and the nature of weaning has been suggested as a possible cause for later obesity and growth patterns. This review highlights the role that breast milk feeding and variations in the weaning age have on transition to childhood, growth, and body composition.
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital of Haifa, Rambam Medical Center, Rappaport Famility Faculty of Medicine and Research Insititute, Technion , Haifa , Israel.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shaoul
authors.affiliation: b Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Meyer's Children's Hospital of Haifa, Rambam Medical Center, Rappaport Famility Faculty of Medicine and Research Insititute, Technion , Haifa , Israel.
authors.forename: Dov
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tiosano
authors.affiliation: b Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Meyer's Children's Hospital of Haifa, Rambam Medical Center, Rappaport Famility Faculty of Medicine and Research Insititute, Technion , Haifa , Israel.
authors.forename: Ze'ev
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hochberg
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D014886:Weaning
keywords: Evolution; breastfeeding; growth; nutrition; weaning