Early Growth Spurts In Zebra Finches Could Cause Obesity

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 11 Apr 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Growth spurts in early childhood could permanently affect rates of metabolism thought to be linked to obesity, says research published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B . Researchers from the University of Glasgow compared metabolic rates of Zebra Finches who had been fed a regular protein diet with finches who had been switched from a low to high protein diet halfway through their period of growth.

Professor Neil Metcalfe from the University of Glasgow said: "It seems that the improvement in diet early in life caused a change in metabolism as well as a short-lived spurt in growth. The metabolic difference might be produced by a change in the size or functioning of key organs in the body, which would have long-term consequences.

"Metabolism has long been believed to affect the likelihood of obesity in humans. It is now becoming increasingly clear that our risk of becoming obese or getting various metabolic or cardiovascular diseases when we are adults is linked to our earliest years."

This is the first time a study has revealed that early growth patterns could cause long term differences in metabolic rate.

Royal Society