Infants that became obese took bigger slurps at lick device
Baby marmoset monkeys that began eating solid food earlier
than their peers were significantly more likely to be obese at 1 year of age,
scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and the
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute found.
This early life obesity resulted in metabolic damage such as
insulin resistance and poor blood sugar control, a companion study showed.
Marmosets on track for obesity appeared to be more efficient
in their feeding behavior. “Although all animals consumed the same amount of
liquid, the ones taking in more on each lick were the ones that later became
obese,” said Corinna Ross, Ph.D., lead author of one of the studies. Dr. Ross
is instructor of cellular and structural biology in the School of Medicine of
the Health Science Center and is based in the Barshop Institute for Longevity
and Aging Studies.