# BEHAVIORS INFLUENCING ADIPOSITY IN INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $236,377

## Abstract

The aim of this project is to further elucidate the influence of
behaviors during infancy and early childhood on the development of
adiposity to the age of six years. Research evidence suggests that there
are two developmental periods before puberty during which marked changes
in adiposity occur, the first during infancy, and the second between
three and six years of age. This suggests that an interaction may occur
between early and later behaviors to determine both the development of
adiposity and the risk for later obesity. In a previous study we found
that vigorous feeding style, denoted by high pressure suckling during the
first month of life, predicted degree of adiposity at one, two, and three
years of age. In addition, evidence suggested that duration of breast
feeding and time of introduction of solid food were important factors
determining later adiposity.

To extend these findings, 200 infants will be followed from birth to six
years of age with measures of suckling style, early feeding practices,
childhood eating style and food intake, and childhood activity levels.
Measures of genetic and socioeconomic influences will also be obtained.
Outcome variables including Body Mass Index and skinfold measures will be
obtained at regular intervals. Relative distribution of body fat
(abdominal/hip ratio) will also be obtained since this factor has been
shown to be related to cardiovascular risk factors in both older children
and adults.

Clarification of the interaction between early and later behaviors
affecting the development of adiposity should lead to a better
understanding of the way in which the environment and behavior influence
the progression of adiposity and the development of obesity. Elucidation
of behavioral risk factors for the development of excess adiposity, and
delineation of the timing of these influences, may also enhance our
ability to develop effective programs to prevent the development of
obesity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199606
- **Project number:** 2R01HD025492-06
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HJD6G4D6TJY5
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM Stewart AGRAS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $236,377
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1989-09-01 → 1998-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199606

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199606, BEHAVIORS INFLUENCING ADIPOSITY IN INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD (2R01HD025492-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199606. Licensed CC0.

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