Early life nutritional environment is not only associated with the growth and development of children, but also affects the health of adults. Numerous epidemiological and animal studies suggest that early nutritional programming is an important physiological and pathological mechanism. DNA methylation is one of the important mechanisms of nutritional programming, which is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase, a specific base of DNA covalently binds to a methyl group, to regulate gene expression. In this review, we summarize the role of DNA methylation in the "abnormal developmental planning" of key metabolic organs caused by excessive nutrition in early life, resulting in long-term obesity and metabolic disorders in the offspring, and explore the clinical significance of regulating DNA methylation levels through dietary interventions to prevent or reverse the occurrence of metabolic disorders in the early stage in a "deprogramming" manner.
Humans ; Animals ; Female ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Clinical Relevance ; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Metabolic Diseases

Objective To analyze the personality traits and nutrition package feeding behaviors of infant caregivers in remote rural areas of Sichuan province and explore the relationship between them. Methods A multi-stage random cluster sampling method was employed to select the infants of 6-24 months old and their caregivers in the remote rural areas of Sichuan province.A structured questionnaire was designed to collect the basic characteristics of infants and their caregivers,as well as the feeding behaviors of the caregivers.The Ten-Item Personality Inventory in China was used to evaluate the caregivers' personality traits in five dimensions:extraversion,agreeableness,conscientiousness,emotional stability,and openness.Multivariate Logistic regression was adopted to analyze the relationship between personality traits and nutrition package feeding behaviors of infant caregivers. Results A total of 895 pairs of infants and their caregivers were investigated.The caregivers showed the average scores of 9.01±2.64,10.60±1.99,9.41±2.06,9.01±2.38,and 8.57±2.29 in the dimensions of extraversion,agreeableness,conscientiousness,emotional stability,and openness,respectively.The effective feeding rate of nutrition package was 53.3% (477/895).The results of regression analysis showed that under the premise of controlling for other factors,the caregiver's conscientious personality (OR=1.08,95%CI=1.004-1.153,P=0.038) was the protective factor for the effective feeding of nutrition package. Conclusion The feeding behavior of infant caregivers in the remote rural areas of Sichuan province remains to be improved,and the caregivers with high conscientious personality are more likely to feed their infants effectively.
Infant ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Caregivers ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Rural Population ; Feeding Behavior ; China ; Personality

Background: As the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) continues to affect the capacity of the health system to deliver essential nutrition and health services, many countries, especially the low- and middle-income countries, including the Philippines, are beset with addressing undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among children. Objective: The rapid nutrition assessment survey (RNAS) was conducted in selected areas in the Philippines to provide evidence of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's participation in the nutrition services and their mothers' knowledge level on nutrition. Methodology: The RNAS was a cross-sectional survey conducted through phone interviews in nine (9) selected areas in the Philippines. A total of 7,092 children aged 0 to 12 years were included in the survey, of which 5,239 mothers and caregivers were interviewed regarding nutrition program participation of their children, and their knowledge on nutrition. Results: A significant decline in children's participation in the Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus (83.0% vs. 51.1%), Vitamin A supplementation (65.4% vs. 54.9%), supplementary feeding (21.6% vs. 11.9%), and deworming (60.4% vs. 11.9%) was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic based on RNAS as compared to the pre-pandemic period using the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS). The most commonly cited reasons for health service disruptions include: child did not visit health centers due to fear of infection, community health workers did not visit the child at home, and no available health workers in the facility. Stunting among children was more likely to be perceived by food insecure (19.7% vs 14.4%; p <0.001) and poor (22.1% vs 16.6%; p<0.000) mothers or caregivers than their counterpart mothers from food secure and rich households. Conclusion With prolonged limited access to health and nutrition services, children, particularly those from poor households, are at risk of hunger, malnutrition, and consequently, of not developing their full potential. Findings can guide efforts to ensure the continuity of essential health and nutrition services towards improving maternal knowledge and promotion of child health and nutrition during the COVID-19 outbreak and crisis recovery period.
COVID-19 ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Community Health Workers

Objective: This study aimed to understand the characteristics of dietary patterns among children aged 12 to 23 months and discusses the relationship between dietary patterns and the growth of children. Method: Cross-sectional data were selected from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for 0 to 18 year-old children in China ( Results: Four dietary patterns were identified among the children Conclusion Although China is undergoing rapid urbanization and economic development, there is still a phenomenon of insufficient intake of protein-rich foods and dairy-based dietary patterns at the stage of complementary food introduced among children aged 12 to 23 months.
China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Growth ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Male

Athletes ; Flavones/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/blood* ; Seasons ; Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Testosterone/blood* ; Whey Proteins/administration & dosage*

Breast milk is the preferred food for preterm infants. In recent years, the role of breast milk in the brain development of preterm infants has attracted more and more attention. Studies have shown that the effect of breastfeeding on neurodevelopment and long-term cognitive outcome of preterm infants may persist into childhood, adolescence, and even adulthood. The nutrients in breast milk, such as oligosaccharides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and lactoferrin, play an important role in this process. This article reviews the latest research advances in the role of breast milk nutrients in the brain development of preterm infants and elaborates on the concept and function of each nutrient.
Brain ; Humans ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Milk, Human ; Nutrients

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether the infant feeding type and duration are related to the introduction of complementary feeding, and whether the appropriate introduction of complementary feeding in infancy is related to tooth decay in toddlers. METHODS: The subjects were 1,521 toddlers among 2~3 year old children in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2015. The toddlers were divided into the appropriate group (4~6 months) and delayed group (>6 months) according to the timing of complementary feeding introduction. RESULTS: The delayed group were 26.5% of subjects and the formula feeding period in the appropriate group and delayed group was 8.4 and 10.3 months, respectively (P=0.002). On the other hand, there was no difference in the breastfeeding period between the appropriate group and delayed group (P=0.6955). Early childhood caries was more common in the delayed group (P=0.0065). The delayed introduction of complementary feeding was associated with a risk of early childhood caries according to the logistic models (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.27–2.57). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of complementary feeding is associated with early childhood caries. Therefore, the importance of the proper introduction of complementary feeding in infancy should be emphasized, and public relations and education for maternal care and breastfeeding should be provided through health care institutions.
Breast Feeding ; Child ; Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Hand ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Public Relations ; Tooth

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether the infant feeding type and duration are related to the introduction of complementary feeding, and whether the appropriate introduction of complementary feeding in infancy is related to tooth decay in toddlers. METHODS: The subjects were 1,521 toddlers among 2~3 year old children in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2015. The toddlers were divided into the appropriate group (4~6 months) and delayed group (>6 months) according to the timing of complementary feeding introduction. RESULTS: The delayed group were 26.5% of subjects and the formula feeding period in the appropriate group and delayed group was 8.4 and 10.3 months, respectively (P=0.002). On the other hand, there was no difference in the breastfeeding period between the appropriate group and delayed group (P=0.6955). Early childhood caries was more common in the delayed group (P=0.0065). The delayed introduction of complementary feeding was associated with a risk of early childhood caries according to the logistic models (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.27–2.57). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of complementary feeding is associated with early childhood caries. Therefore, the importance of the proper introduction of complementary feeding in infancy should be emphasized, and public relations and education for maternal care and breastfeeding should be provided through health care institutions.
Breast Feeding ; Child ; Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Hand ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Public Relations ; Tooth

PURPOSE: To identify needs for pregnancy and postpartum adaptation of Chinese immigrant women and Vietnamese immigrant women in South Korea. METHODS: A descriptive research design was employed. Data were collected from 244 Chinese immigrant women and Vietnamese immigrant women from 3 provinces, 20 health care centers, and multi-cultural family support centers. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: An average score for needs perceived by Chinese immigrant women was significantly higher than that perceived by Vietnamese immigrant women. There were significantly differences in physical and emotional adaptation after childbirth, nutrition during pregnancy, cross cultural understanding and personal respect, and adaptation daily activity during pregnancy between the 2 groups. The highest score of needs in Chinese immigrant women was for nutrition during pregnancy and that in Vietnamese immigrant women was for baby rearing and family support. CONCLUSION: Based on needs of pregnancy and postpartum adaption, nursing intervention program in consideration of cultural characteristics of Chinese immigrant women and Vietnam immigrant women need to be developed for their pregnancy and postpartum health care.
Adaptation, Physiological ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cultural Characteristics ; Delivery of Health Care ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Emotional Adjustment ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Needs Assessment ; Nursing ; Parturition ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Research Design ; Vietnam

A major goal of mineral nutrition research is to provide information of feed zinc (Zn) utilization efficiency and gross Zn requirements as affected by changing rearing conditions. This can be achieved only by applying precise experimental models that acknowledge the basic principles of Zn metabolism. This review article summarizes the most important aspects of Zn homeostasis in monogastric species, including molecular aspects of Zn acquisition and excretion. Special emphasis is given to the role of the skeleton as well as the exocrine pancreas for animal Zn metabolism. Finally, we discuss consequences arising from these physiological principles for the experimental design of trials which aim to address questions of Zn requirements and bioavailability.
Animal Feed ; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Animals ; Biological Availability ; Diet ; Genotype ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Minerals/metabolism* ; Pancreas, Exocrine/metabolism* ; Trace Elements ; Zinc/metabolism*