Rasmus Wibæk Christensen - BODY COMPOSITION TRAJECTORIES AND METABOLIC RISK IN AFRICAN CHILDREN

Growth patterns in early life are important predictors of later risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity, particular in low and middle-income countries facing a rapid epidemiological and nutritional transition through adaptations to Western lifestyles.

Using advanced body composition data from a unique birth cohort of Ethiopian infants, the study aims to identify patterns in fat- and lean mass growth in early life that predispose changes in risk markers of T2D and CVD at 5 years. This is crucial for early identification of T2D and CVD risk groups, in order to initiate timely prevention.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are some of the biggest global health problems, and more than 80% of deaths related to NCDs are occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Moreover, the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is rapidly increasing in many LMIC, flowing a rapid nutritional- and epidemiological transition.

The heavy burden of NCDs coincides with a high incidence of fetal- and child undernutrition. Low birth weight due to fetal growth restriction, followed by a rapid catch-up growth the first 3-6 months of life is associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, CVD and premature death in adult life. This is in the literature called fetal programming. Despite the heavy burden of NCDs as well as a high incidence of both under- and over-nutrition in childhood, research from LMIC that identify growth patterns in early life that predispose changes in risk markers of diabetes and CVD is sparse, especially research that investigates the role of fat- and lean mass.

We hypothesise that accretion of pre- and post-natal fat- and lean mass in early life plays a significant role for later risk of obesity, diabetes and CVD. Exploring this hypothesis will be a crucial contribution to the existing evidence on early-life programming and risk of NCDs later in life. This is crucial for early identification of diabetes and CVD risk groups, in order to initiate timely prevention.

Using advanced body composition data from a unique birth cohort of 600 Ethiopian infants, we have followed the growth patterns of fat- and lean mass from birth to 6 months of age. In the present study, we therefore aim to link this unique early-life growth data with 5-year follow-up data of metabolic risk factors and body composition. Thus, in the same birth cohort, we will examine the importance of the fat and lean body mass for markers of metabolic risk factors and body composition 5 years of age.