TY - JOUR

T1 - Amount and quality of dietary proteins during the first two years of life in relation to NCD risk in adulthood

AU - Michaelsen, Kim F.

AU - Larnkjær, Anni

AU - Mølgaard, Christian

N1 - IHE 2012 060

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Body Composition

KW - Body Mass Index

KW - Breast Feeding

KW - Chronic Disease

KW - Diet

KW - Dietary Proteins

KW - Humans

KW - Infant

KW - Infant Formula

KW - Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

KW - Insulin-Like Growth Factor I

KW - Kidney

KW - Milk, Human

KW - Obesity

KW - Organ Size

KW - Poverty

KW - Risk Factors

U2 - 10.1016/j.numecd.2012.03.014

DO - 10.1016/j.numecd.2012.03.014

M3 - Review

C2 - 22770749

VL - 22

SP - 781

EP - 786

JO - Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases

JF - Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases

SN - 0939-4753

IS - 10

ER -