Early Life Nutrition and Non Communicable Disease.

ABSTRACT

The origin of some non communicable disease (NCDs) is in early life. Evidence has shown that early life nutrition is associated with the risk of developing chronic non communicable diseases. Pregnancy and infancy are the most critical stages that influence the risks of NCDs in childhood and adult life. Prenatal maternal undernutrition and low birth weight lead to obesity and increase the risk factors of cardiovascular disease and diabetes later in life. Nutrition is one of the easily modifiable environmental factors that may affect outcome of pregnancy, trajectory of growth, and immune system of the fetus and infant. Healthy eating behaviors associate with prevention of weight disorders in pediatric, non communicable diseases, and deficiencies of micronutrient.