Study shows growth during infancy appears to be an important determinant of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes later in life.

Perhaps we can reassure parents with infants who are gaining weight slowly that this may have later benefits.  One study using longitudinal data indicates rapid weight gain in the first 3 months of life is associated with several determinants of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in early adulthood.

The source:

Leunissen RWJ et al. Timing and Tempo of First-Year Rapid Growth in Relation to Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk Profile in Early Adulthood. JAMA 2009;301(21):2234-2242

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/301/21/2234