Rate of growth in early life: a predictor of later health?

The purpose of this review is to describe the studies which investigate the association between early growth pattern and future metabolic risks. Childhood obesity is increasing but other growth parameters are also changing. There is a trend of earlier maturation and increasing height. The increase in height from one generation to the next occurs mainly in the first years of life. Rapid growth in early life (rapid weight and length gain, early adiposity rebound) is associated with various health risks in later life (obesity, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes). Pattern of growth rather than absolute level of fatness seams to be of most importance.