Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health

Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health

Why nutrition  in early life matters?

Task Force Information

Objectives and list of Task Force members

Contact Information

Contact details in case you have specific questions

Activity Overview

Overview of ongoing and upcoming activities

Expert Groups

Objectives, output and list of experts involved in each activity

Publications

List of publications of this
Task Force

Multimedia

Links to Task Force related documents, recordings and much more...

Completed Expert Groups

Details including experts involved of
each activity

Task Force Information

Objectives

The Task Force aims at providing scientific evidence to support guidelines for maternal and infant nutrition to ensure life-time optimal health. It also identifies risk factors for obesity and other health consequences at the earliest stages of life.

Task Force Members

WP DataTables

Contact Information

For more detailed information, please contact Ching-Yu Chang at cchang@ilsieurope.be

Activity Overview

Ongoing

- Early biomarkers for prediction of metabolic health

The Expert Group on early biomarkers for prediction of metabolic health aims to review biomarkers in early life that could be used to predict development of childhood obesity and metabolic health. This prediction may drive knowledge of personalised nutrition.

Start date: May 2021 | End date: Q4 2025

- Lipid quality in early life nutrition

The Expert Group on Lipid quality in early life nutrition aims to generate an overview of the dietary lipid quality in the first year of life and its relations with health benefits for consumers.

Start date: Q3 2022 | End date: Q4 2025

- Plant-based proteins for infants

The Expert Group on Plant-based proteins for infants aims to evaluate the nutritional quality of plant protein-based infant formula for term-born infants (< 1 years old). The group is organising a physical workshop with three sessions: Source, Processing, and Safety; Nutrition Quality and Health Impact; and Sustainability. A proceeding will be published.

Start: Q4 2023 | End: Q4 2025

Upcoming Activities

- Postbiotics for early life nutrition

The Expert Group aims to explore the emerging role of postbiotics in infant nutrition through a focused, workshop-style debate involving experts in microbiota, pediatrics, and nutritional science. This initiative will identify key challenges, assess knowledge gaps, and develop recommendations to guide future research and applications. The outcomes will be published to support evidence-based guidance in infant and early childhood health. This is a joint activity with the Probiotics Task Force.

Start: Q4 2025 | End: Q2 2027

In the Pipeline

  • Evidence review on gut-brain-axis, early microbiome development and mental health later in life.
  • Evidence review on vegan diet for children.
  • Countries nutritional requirements for weaning food (1-3 years) and young child formula. 

Expert Groups

Early Biomarkers for Prediction of Metabolic Health

Background and Objectives

The aim of the activity is to review biomarkers in early life that could be used to predict development of childhood obesity and metabolic health. The activity will focus on invasive and non-invasive, perinatal and postnatal biomarkers. This activity aims to:

- Summarise the current evidence for early life (perinatal and postnatal) biomarkers that are able to predict childhood obesity and related metabolic health.

- Emphasise relevance of combining conventional predictive markers (e.g. early weight gain) with novel applications of metabolomics, epigenetics and microbiota profiling. It will help to more accurately and effectively identify infants at risk to develop obesity.

- Emphasise importance of validity and reliability of identified biomarkers for application of such biomarkers in (daily) practice.

Output

The highlighted (recent) findings in the development of biomarkers for early life prediction of metabolic health could be used to guide risk prediction and stratification. This prediction may drive development and knowledge of personalised (infant) nutrition to reduce the risk of childhood obesity. Researchers should become aware of the urgency to develop and validate new predictive biomarkers that are both easily detectable and responsive to nutritional interventions.

Expert Group Members

WP DataTables

Lipid Quality in Early Life Nutrition

Background and Objectives

The activity aims to generate an overview of the fatty acid (FA) quality composition consumption (by means of from all dietary sources; human milk, infant milk formula and complementary feeding) in the first year of life and to what extent this brings or relates to its relation to health benefits for infants consumers. A particular focus is given on exploring appropriate intake levels of Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA) and Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA).

Output

The results will be compiled in a review and published in a peer-reviewed journal. The publication will summarise expert insights and hopefully propose a consensus on the FA profile of the first year of life diet. It will highlight knowledge gaps and outline plans for future research and possibly a basis for new EFSA recommendations.

Expert Group Members

 

WP DataTables

Plant-based protein for infant

Background and Objectives

The adoption of vegan diets and the consequent demand for plant-based food and plant-based beverages has increased globally, including those suitable for infants. Proteins from plant-based sources usually have lower protein quality and poor technological characteristics (low solubility and poor heat stability) compared to animal-based proteins. Together with the specific infant nutritional requirements, multiple challenges for the application of plant-based proteins are foreseen.

This activity will identify challenges and considerations about the nutritional quality of plant protein-based infant formula for infants below 1 year by organizing a workshop in Q4 2024.

Output

Proceedings of debate/workshop including all challenges, all considerations, gap analysis and guideline for suitability of plant protein-based infant formula.

Expert Group Members

WP DataTables

Postbiotics for Early Life Nutrition

Background and Objectives

The amount of scientific literature on postbiotics, as well as the term ‘postbiotics’ on commercial products is rapidly rising. This activity aims to advance and discuss specific considerations for the application and development of postbiotics in early life nutrition through a workshop-style debate, resulting in a publication addressing challenges, gap analysis, and recommendations for future research.

Output

The approach for the expert group will be to review the latest state of the art and identify gaps, challenges and potential directions. This should create the basis for a workshop-kind of debate. By leveraging the collective expertise of the commission, the goal is to advance the understanding and application of postbiotics in early life nutrition, ultimately contributing to the development of safer and more effective nutritional products for infants and toddlers. Outcome of this activity is a publication of the proceedings of debate/workshop including existing challenges / gap analysis and guideline for future (clinical) research. 

Expert Group Members

WP DataTables

Publications

Filter

Journal Articles

Plant-based proteins for infant formula: findings and recommendations from the ILSI Europe workshop

Frontiers in Nutrition, 2025

  • ILSI Europe

This Review Article summarizes outcomes from the ILSI Europe expert workshop on plant-based proteins in infant formula, held in November 2024. Experts from academia, clinical nutrition, and food science evaluated the current use and future potential of plant-based protein sources in infant formula, considering nutritional adequacy, allergenicity, sustainability, processing technologies, and regulatory constraints. While soy and hydrolyzed rice proteins are already approved and in use, emerging sources such as pea, lentil, and faba beans show promise but require further validation of their amino acid profiles, digestibility, safety, and suitability for infants. Key research priorities identified include the development of improved protein extraction methods, in vitro digestion and allergy modeling, and targeted clinical studies. This review synthesizes current evidence and expert perspectives to support the development of sustainable, nutritionally adequate plant-based infant formulas.

Read more

Infant fat mass and later child and adolescent health outcomes: a systematic review

Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2023

  • ILSI Europe

Obesity and excess adiposity are leading causes of metabolic and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Early identification of individuals at risk is key for preventive strategies. We examined the relationship between infant body composition (0–2 years of age) and later (>2 years) health outcomes using a systematic review.

Read more

Health relevance of lowering postprandial glycaemia in the paediatric population through diet’: results from a multistakeholder workshop

European Journal of Nutrition , 2022

  • ILSI Europe

To summarize current knowledge and gaps regarding the role of postprandial glycaemic response in the paediatric population, a workshop was organized in June 2021 by the European branch of the International Life Science Institute (ILSI). The workshop led to the consensus on the crucial role on health of postprandial glycaemic response in paediatric population.

Read more

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			Abstract	

	
Background


Early-life exposures might negatively affect fetal and infant development, predisposing children to obesity. This study aimed to systematically identify and evaluate risk factors for childhood obesity in preconception, pregnancy, and infancy, and assess their potential for future prediction and prevention strategies.


Methods


This systematic review (PROSPERO, CRD42022355152) included longitudinal studies from selected electronic databases published between inception and August 17th, 2022, identifying maternal, paternal, or infant risk factors from preconception until infancy for childhood obesity between 2 and 18 years. Screening and data extraction were conducted using standardized forms. We assessed risk factor quality on modifiability and predictive power using a piloted criteria template from ILSI-Europe-Marker-Validation-Initiative.


Findings


We identified 172 publications from observational and five publications from intervention studies involving n = 1,879,971 children from 37, predominantly high-income, countries. Average reported childhood obesity prevalence was 11.1%. Pregnancy and infancy risk factors were mostly studied. We identified 59 potential risk factors; 23 were consistently associated. Strongest risk factors were: higher maternal prepregnancy weight (n = 28/31 publications with positive associations), higher gestational weight gain (n = 18/21), maternal smoking during pregnancy (n = 23/29), higher birth weight (n = 20/28), large-size-for-gestational-age-at-birth (n = 17/18), no breastfeeding (n = 20/31), and higher infant weight gain (n = 12/12). Level of evidence was generally moderate due to unreliable exposure measurement, short follow-up/loss to follow-up, and risk of confounding.


Interpretation


We identified seven early-life risk factors, which were strongly associated with childhood obesity, and can contribute to future prediction and prevention strategies. These findings support the implementation of prevention strategies targeting these risk factors from a clinical and population perspective, where possible integrated with implementation studies.



			One pager	

				
			
						Read the full paper
					
	
Commissioned by the Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health Task Force



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			Abstract	

	
This Review Article summarizes outcomes from the ILSI Europe expert workshop on plant-based proteins in infant formula, held in November 2024. Experts from academia, clinical nutrition, and food science evaluated the current use and future potential of plant-based protein sources in infant formula, considering nutritional adequacy, allergenicity, sustainability, processing technologies, and regulatory constraints. While soy and hydrolyzed rice proteins are already approved and in use, emerging sources such as pea, lentil, and faba beans show promise but require further validation of their amino acid profiles, digestibility, safety, and suitability for infants. Key research priorities identified include the development of improved protein extraction methods, in vitro digestion and allergy modeling, and targeted clinical studies. This review synthesizes current evidence and expert perspectives to support the development of sustainable, nutritionally adequate plant-based infant formulas.



			One pager	

				
			
						Read the full paper
					
	
Commissioned by the Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health Task Force



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Objective


Obesity and excess adiposity are leading causes of metabolic and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Early identification of individuals at risk is key for preventive strategies. We examined the relationship between infant body composition (0-2 years of age) and later (>2 years) health outcomes using a systematic review.


Design


We preregistered the study on PROSPERO (ID 288013) and searched Embase, PubMed and Cochrane databases for English language publications using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms 'infant' and 'body composition' and 'risk' between January 1946 and February 2022. We included studies which assessed infant body composition using predetermined in vivo methods other than body mass index (BMI).


Results


We identified 6015 articles. After abstract screening to assess eligibility, we reviewed 130 full text publications. 30 were included in the final assessment and narrative synthesis. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity of results. All 30 studies were of high quality and reported associations between infant body composition and 19 different health outcomes after 2 years of age. Outcome measurements ranged from 2 years to 16 years. The strongest associations were found between infant fat mass and later fat mass (7 studies), and later BMI (5 studies). For 11 of the outcomes assessed, there was no relationship to infant adiposity detected.


Conclusions


Current evidence, from a small number of studies, suggests a positive association between infant adiposity and future adiposity or BMI, but the validity of infant body composition as a biomarker of future health remains inconclusive. Carefully designed, standardised studies are required to identify the value of infant body composition for predicting later health.

	
Download the full article here.

	
Download the article one-pager below

				
				Expert group body comp. one-pager
				


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The intestinal microbiota plays a major role in infant health and development. However, the role of the breastmilk microbiota in infant gut colonisation remains unclear. A systematic review was performed to evaluate the composition of the breastmilk microbiota and evidence for transfer to/colonisation of the infant gut. Searches were performed using PUBMED, OVID, LILACS and PROQUEST from inception until 18th March 2020 with a PUBMED update to December 2021. 88 full texts were evaluated before final critique based on study power, sample contamination avoidance, storage, purification process, DNA extraction/analysis, and consideration of maternal health and other potential confounders. Risk of skin contamination was reduced mainly by breast cleaning and rejecting the first milk drops. Sample storage, DNA extraction and bioinformatics varied. Several studies stored samples under conditions that may selectively impact bacterial DNA preservation, others used preculture reducing reliability. Only 15 studies, with acceptable sample size, handling, extraction, and bacterial analysis, considered transfer of bacteria to the infant. Three reported bacterial transfer from infant to breastmilk. Despite consistent evidence for the breastmilk microbiota, and recent studies using improved methods to investigate factors affecting its composition, few studies adequately considered transfer to the infant gut providing very little evidence for effective impact on gut colonisation.

			Keywords
							Expand
		
Microbiota, infant, breast milk, gut colonisation, systematic review

	
To download this open-access article, please click here.

	
Commissioned by the Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health Task Force.



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			Abstract	

	
Background


Early-life exposures might negatively affect fetal and infant development, predisposing children to obesity. This study aimed to systematically identify and evaluate risk factors for childhood obesity in preconception, pregnancy, and infancy, and assess their potential for future prediction and prevention strategies.


Methods


This systematic review (PROSPERO, CRD42022355152) included longitudinal studies from selected electronic databases published between inception and August 17th, 2022, identifying maternal, paternal, or infant risk factors from preconception until infancy for childhood obesity between 2 and 18 years. Screening and data extraction were conducted using standardized forms. We assessed risk factor quality on modifiability and predictive power using a piloted criteria template from ILSI-Europe-Marker-Validation-Initiative.


Findings


We identified 172 publications from observational and five publications from intervention studies involving n = 1,879,971 children from 37, predominantly high-income, countries. Average reported childhood obesity prevalence was 11.1%. Pregnancy and infancy risk factors were mostly studied. We identified 59 potential risk factors; 23 were consistently associated. Strongest risk factors were: higher maternal prepregnancy weight (n = 28/31 publications with positive associations), higher gestational weight gain (n = 18/21), maternal smoking during pregnancy (n = 23/29), higher birth weight (n = 20/28), large-size-for-gestational-age-at-birth (n = 17/18), no breastfeeding (n = 20/31), and higher infant weight gain (n = 12/12). Level of evidence was generally moderate due to unreliable exposure measurement, short follow-up/loss to follow-up, and risk of confounding.


Interpretation


We identified seven early-life risk factors, which were strongly associated with childhood obesity, and can contribute to future prediction and prevention strategies. These findings support the implementation of prevention strategies targeting these risk factors from a clinical and population perspective, where possible integrated with implementation studies.



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            [post_title] => Risk Factors in the First 1000 Days of Life Associated With Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review and Risk Factor Quality Assessment
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