Infant nutrition: an overly rich diet may increase susceptibility to inflammatory diseases

Epidemiological data have already revealed a link between obesity and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, it is vital to elucidate the mechanisms by which obesity can lead to complications. Scientists in the Microenvironment and Immunity Unit at the Institut Pasteur recently demonstrated that a high-fat diet or over-eating early in life significantly increases the risk of developing inflammatory diseases. Understanding this "disease imprint", which remains in the body after infancy, is a first step towards future research that may result in the development of preventive measures.

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