Infancy

• • Retarded growth in infancy: reflected in a failure to gain weight and height
  • Retarded & Excessive weight/ height gain = Risk of chronic disease
• 1. Low growth in early infancy (Low weight at 1 year): Risk of coronary heart disease
  2. Retarded fetal growth & Greater weight gain in infancy: Highest blood pressure
  3. Short stature (Shorter than normal): Risk of CHD, stroke, diabetes
• Blood pressure

  • Breastfeeding: Lower levels in childhood
  • Formula: Increase diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure later
• Obesity

  • Breastfeeding: Lower risk (related to length; may not become evident until later in childhood
• Chronic diseases of childhood & adolescence

  • Type 1 Diabetes, Coeliac disease, Childhood cancers, Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Associated w/ infant feeding on breastmilk substitutes & short term breastfeeding