The Relationship Between the First Thousand Days of Life and Childhood Obesity

Meghan Philcox, Dori Dahlberg

Obesity rates are rapidly rising in America, contributing to the increase of type two diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Starting at conception, the first 1000 days of life are crucial for preventing obesity. There are factors during this time that can positively or negatively impact the child’s weight in the future. With this information, healthcare providers can develop educational interventions that will help prevent obesity instead of needing to correct it later in the lifespan.

• Meghan Philcox graduated with her nursing degree in May 2022. A member of the Honors College, she completed a nursing externship in the Pediatric ICU unit at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. She has been on the President’s List every semester since fall 2018. Meghan also served as an academic tutor and a leader in both the LU Student Nurses Association and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry.