How early-life nutrition affects aging and DNA changes in adults
Official title: Adult epigenetics and telomere length in relation to improved nutrition in early life
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11015865 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the food you ate as a baby might affect how you age as an adult, especially in terms of your DNA, and it's for people who had special nutrition during their first 1,000 days of life to see how that early diet could help them stay healthier longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $560,124 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134509-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015865 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who participated in early-life nutrition interventions, particularly those from the cohort studied in Guatemala.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who did not receive any nutritional intervention during their early life may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the long-term effects of early-life nutrition on aging processes in adults, focusing on how it influences DNA mechanisms such as DNA methylation and telomere length. By studying a unique group of individuals who received nutritional interventions during their first 1,000 days of life, the research aims to uncover how these early experiences impact health outcomes later in life. Participants will have their DNA analyzed to identify any lasting changes linked to their early nutrition. The goal is to provide insights that could help mitigate premature aging, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that improve health outcomes and reduce the effects of aging in individuals who received optimal nutrition early in life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results linking early-life nutrition to long-term health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stein, Aryeh David — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Stein, Aryeh David
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.