“Lifelong” — in rats, that is.
“Consumption of foods high in carbohydrates immediately after birth programs individuals for lifelong increased weight gain and obesity, a University at Buffalo animal study has found, even if caloric intake is restricted in adulthood for a period of time.”
This is about something quite different than diet. The study proposes that in infancy the metabolism may be programmed during the weaning period, i.e. fixed for life into a particular response to diet. Metabolism is a complex subject and this is an area with very little data. What this study suggests is the need for a lot more data, confirming studies and retrospective studies on humans. Retrospective since planned studies might be considered unethical. Pediatricians have already taken a conservative position by recommending no solid food for many months after birth however there are major problems with the formations of so-called baby formula.
Of course rats are not people. However animal studies are certainly a scientific way of evaluating this kind of thing. This study is suggestive and skepticism can sometimes be taken too far. This study is one of many pieces in the puzzle, and the picture that’s emerging IMO is that the excessive reliance on sugary and starchy vegetables in our diet is a major factor in the epidemic of obesity.
Rats only live long enough to digest one or two good meals anyway…