hormones present at birth may influence growth patterns and body fat development during early childhood, potentially laying the groundwork for obesity later in life.
The researchers examined cord blood levels of four appetite hormones—glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and leptin—to determine their association with growth trajectories and body composition in children aged 4 to 6 years. The study was conducted as part of the Environmental Influence on Early Aging (ENVIRONAGE) birth cohort, a population-based project in Belgium, with participants recruited between 2010 and 2016.
The findings suggest that these hormones may play a role in regulating appetite and metabolism from birth, thereby influencing body composition and the risk of developing obesity. The study authors noted that PYY and PP could promote early weight gain, while leptin, a hormone that signals fullness, may have a protective effect by slowing rapid growth.
The researchers acknowledged certain limitations. Maternal hormone levels, diet, paternal BMI, and early feeding practices were not assessed and could have influenced the findings. The exclusion of elective cesarean births and the low prevalence of obesity in the cohort may also have affected outcomes. Moreover, the higher proportion of well-educated mothers might limit how broadly the results apply.
Despite these limitations, the study adds to the growing evidence that appetite hormones present at birth play an important role in determining a child’s growth pattern and future weight trajectory.
The researchers concluded that identifying these biological markers early in life could be valuable for predicting and preventing obesity, emphasizing the need for further research on how prenatal and early-life factors shape long-term health outcomes.
De Ruyter T, Michels N, Alfano R, et al. Cord Blood Appetite Hormones and Early-Life Growth and Childhood Adiposity in the ENVIRONAGE Cohort. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(11):e2542140. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.42140
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