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Early growth, and coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes: experiences from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Studies

International Journal of Obesity volume 30, pages S18–S22 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Experiences during critical periods of development through the mechanisms of programming have consequences on later health outcomes. Observations worldwide linking a small body size at birth with adult health outcomes have greatly added to our understanding of the early origins of several non-communicable diseases like coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes. The pattern of growth predisposing to CHD is characterized by a small body size at birth and thinness through infancy up to 2 years of age, followed by accelerated gain in weight and body mass index (BMI) later in childhood. The early growth patterns of individuals who later develop type 2 diabetes very much resemble the growth patterns of CHD, that is, a small body size at birth and thinness at 1 year of age followed by higher body mass indices later in childhood. Numerous studies support the importance of events during critical periods of growth in the pathogenesis of many non-communicable diseases like CHD and type 2 diabetes. There are several possible mechanisms through which a non-optimal early growth associated with accelerated weight gain in childhood could lead to these diseases. To get a better understanding of the patterns of growth affecting adult health outcomes, a life-course approach to the development of chronic diseases needs to be taken.

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Acknowledgements

The Helsinki Birth Cohort Study has been supported by Academy of Finland, British Heart Foundation, Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, Finnish Diabetes Association, Finska Läkaresällskapet, Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Gyllenberg Foundation and Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation.

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  1. Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Diabetes and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland

    J G Eriksson

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  1. J G Eriksson
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Correspondence to J G Eriksson.

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Eriksson, J. Early growth, and coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes: experiences from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Studies. Int J Obes 30 (Suppl 4), S18–S22 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803515

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