Research shows possible connection between early childhood diet and adult obesity.

CALGARY, AB  January 12, 2009 -- New research published in an international scientific journal by Raylene Reimer, Ph.D., R.D., suggests that an individual’s early childhood diet may permanently alter their chances of becoming an obese adult.

The study featured three groups of rats that were fed one of three diets after birth and then challenged with a high fat, high sugar diet as adults. The animals showed marked differences in weight gain that reflected their early diet.

Reimer is a scientist in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the developmental origins of health and disease.