Cord Blood Appetite Hormone Levels Influence Early Childhood Growth and Obesity: JAMA
Belgium: Researchers have found in a cohort study of 325 children that cord blood appetite hormone levels are linked to early-life growth and adiposity, indicating their role in shaping childhood growth and body composition from birth.
The study was published in JAMA Network Open by Thaïs De Ruyter and colleagues from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium. The findings highlight that certain appetite-related 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 following were the key findings of the study:
- The study found significant associations between certain cord blood hormone levels and early growth outcomes.
- Higher levels of peptide YY (PYY) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were linked to rapid growth during the first two years of life.
- Elevated PYY and PP levels were also associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) z-score between ages 4 and 6.
- In contrast, higher leptin levels were associated with slower growth during infancy.
- PYY levels showed a positive correlation with the adiposity peak, indicating an early role in fat accumulation.
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.
Reference:
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
Next Story