Early-life nutrition and child development

This thesis investigates how dietary patterns evolve from infancy across childhood and affect subsequent health. Using records from the Dutch GECKO Drenthe and Lifelines cohorts, the research shows that early habits often persist, influencing later diet quality, executive function, and weight. Some habits lasted longer than others: 70% of young children primarily eating whole-grain bread retained this habit at age 10 to 11, and heavy early drinkers of sugar-sweetened beverages consumed 85% more of them later than low consumers. Early diets also tracked with BMI. Fresh fruit intake corresponded to more favorable BMI trends compared to peers, whereas more convenience meals, savoury snacks, jarred produce, and age-three ultra-processed foods were linked to larger BMI increases.