Association Between Enteral Protein Intake and Fat-Free Mass Accretion in Very Preterm Infants.

Introduction: For preterm infants, the first two weeks after birth are a time when nutrition and protein intake is variable and often falls below recommended intakes. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between protein intake, including source of protein, during the first two weeks after birth and fat-free mass (FFM) accretion in a group of very preterm infants.

Methods: In this observational cohort study, body composition was assessed using air displacement plethysmography in eligible infants <32 weeks gestational age at two weeks after birth and prior to discharge.

Maternal perceived stress, household disorder, eating behaviors and adiposity of women and their children.

Background: Stress is associated with physiological and behavioral adaptations that increase the risk for obesity and related diseases in adults and children. Mechanisms linking stress to chronic disease are diverse and not fully elucidated, but research suggests stress may impact eating behaviors and increase food intake and thereby, risk for obesity.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that women's perceived stress and household disorder are associated with more uncontrolled and emotional eating among women, more food responsiveness and emotional overeating among their children, and greater adiposity in both women and their children.

Leptin resistance in children with in utero exposure to maternal obesity and gestational diabetes.

Background: Leptin resistance occurs with obesity, but it is unknown if individuals at risk for obesity develop leptin resistance prior to obesity.

Objective: Investigate whether leptin resistance is independent of weight status in children at risk for obesity due to intrauterine exposure to maternal obesity or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: Mother-child dyads (N = 179) were grouped by maternal pregnancy weight and GDM status: (1) normal weight, no GDM; (2) overweight/obesity, no GDM; (3) overweight/obesity with GDM.

Obesity and Overweight: Probing Causes, Consequences, and Novel Therapeutic Approaches Through the American Heart Association's Strategically Focused Research Network.

As the worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity continues to rise, so too does the urgency to fully understand mediating mechanisms, to discover new targets for safe and effective therapeutic intervention, and to identify biomarkers to track obesity and the success of weight loss interventions. In 2016, the American Heart Association sought applications for a Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) on Obesity. In 2017, 4 centers were named, including Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Relationship Between Race and Gestational Weight Gain in Pregnancy and Early Life in the South Birth-Cohort Study.

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate whether differences in gestational weight gain (GWG) and adverse perinatal outcomes exist for Black and White women who are overweight or have obesity (OW/OB) at entry to prenatal care.

Methods: We enrolled 183 pregnant women with BMI 25-45 kg/m (71% black, 29% white) prior to 14 weeks gestation. Data were collected on demographic, medical history, diet and physical activity during pregnancy.