Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Marjo-Riitta Järvelin
Imperial College London, UK
Keynote: Challenging life course approaches and their implications: New research concepts
Time : 10:00 to 10:40
Biography:
Marjo-Riitta Järvelin, MD, MSc, PhD, FFPM, is Professor and Chair in Lifecourse Epidemiology at Imperial College London (IC), UK, also holding a visiting professorship at Brunel University London, UK and a part-time professorship at the University of Oulu, Finland. She has been running large-scale population-based studies for over 25 years, working on the genetic and early life environmental origins of multi-factorial diseases and disorders. She is a Scientific Director of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC) research program and has an active role in research training as Director of Postgraduate Studies at School of Public Health, IC. Professor Järvelin has published over 700 original papers. She has been nominated on several prestigious visiting and collaboration awards, has received an award of Excellence in Genetic Epidemiology at Imperial College London, been honoured by the title, Epidemiologist of the Year in Finland and invited to join the Finnish Academy of Sciences.
Abstract:
Over the last few years there has been increasing interest in (genetic) epidemiology conceptualizing disease aetiology within a life-course framework. We can define a life course approach to disease as the study of long-term effects on disease risk of physical and social exposures during gestation, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood and later adult life. This approach is illustrated in conventionally, chronic disease cohort studies recruit subjects in mid-life and follow them up for future disease end-points. Even when baseline measures include early life exposures, such as childhood socioeconomic position, these would usually be entered into a multivariable model without much attention to the temporal relationships, contrary to what Fig. 1 demonstrates. In the Dyna HEALTH H2020 program (www.dynahealth.eu), we have set out to explore a composite of biological and psycho-social factors that may predict premature ageing associated with metabolic adversities such as obesity from early life onward. The analyses support a strong interplay of metabolic and psychosocial factors in establishing risk of premature ageing. Although the bio-psycho-social model was introduced 40 years ago by Engel and acclaimed by the scientific community, it has yet to be successfully operationalized into research approaches and routine practice. The methodological challenge is to explore in-depth the life-long psycho-social wellbeing by taking into account metabolic measures, heritability, temporal relationships, interactions and causality, and how direct biological markers may be used as more “objective measures” of the impact of the environment on health. Statistical methods developed for life course studies are required to enhance the understanding of the aetiologias of the risk factors for more effective prevention and treatment. DynaHEALTH includes the potential to exploit the results for new technologies and strategies, adding to our understanding of the pathways related to healthy and active ageing, underpinning options for targeted, personalized healthcare. Understanding the Dynamic determinants of glucose homeostasis and psychosocial capability to promote Healthy and active ageing.
Keynote Forum
Mircea Onofriescu
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Gr. T.Popa†Iasi, Romania
Keynote: Obesity in obstetrics
Time : 10:40 to 11:20
Biography:
Mircea Onofriescu is a Professor at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr.T. Popa", Iasi and Head of Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital “Cuza-Vodă”, Iasi. He has an MD, PhD in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gestational Diabetes and Maternal-Fetal Influences. Ability in Materno-Fetal Medicine, Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hysteroscopy, Laparoscopy in Gynecology, In Vitro Fertilization. He is the President of the Romanian Society Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Romanian Society Reproductive Medicine. He is a Member of 10 international scientific associations and 12 Romanian scientific associations. He has experience in clinical trials, which include two international studies and six national grants. He has published 15 books as an Author and Co-Author.
Abstract:
With approximately one in five women presenting as obese or with overweight, obesity is one of the greatest challenges to maternity services in both developed countries and those in development. Obesity during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of overweight children; overweight children being more likely to become overweight or obese adults. The etiology of obesity is multifactorial, one involving genetics, environmental, socioeconomic and behavioral factors. Identification of risk factors, especially those that can be modified, gives us epidemiological tools for planning intervention measures with positive impact on public health. Evidence suggests that maternal obesity is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy, labor and delivery outcomes and increased health care service utilization at birth, with increased costs. Overweight and obesity in pregnancy are associated to antepartum stillbirth, large-for-gestational-age with shoulder dystocia, meconium aspiration, diabetes, hypertension, low Apgar scores, congenital anomalies, birth asphyxia and neonatal hypoglycemia. Increased maternal body mass index before conception influences fetal intrauterine growth and their weight, labor and delivery outcomes. There is an association between BMI and the risk of pregnancy complications, active management in labor and at delivery, including labor induction and surgical delivery. Maternal overweight and obesity are associated with increased risks, both for the mother and for the fetus and later newborn, but they are preventable risks. Prenatal care in women with excess weight needs to be individualized to lower the risks, to improve maternal and fetal outcomes and to reduce healthcare services costs.
Keynote Forum
Francois J Roman
Amylgen, France
Keynote: CogniXtra preventive treatment affords neuroprotection against amyloid beta 25-35 peptide-induced toxicity in mice
Time : 11:40 to 12:20
Biography:
François J Roman holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Paris VI, France. He has co-founded Amylgen in 2009. Previously, he served as the VP of R&D at Euroscreen, Belgium from 2004. Prior to this position, he had held various Drug Discovery management positions at Pfizer PGRD France, Parke-Davis France, Jouveinal Laboratoires, and Laboratoires Servier, where he started his career in 1977. He has more than 40 publications and 35 patents.
Abstract:
Objective: A number of encouraging research studies have shown the importance of nutritional approach in order to protect the brain health. Here we present the efficacy of a daily administration of a unique complex combination of liposomal omega 3 fatty acids and liposomal antioxidants (cogniXtra) as a neuroprotective treatment on early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse model.
Methods: Mice were treated per os once a day with various combinations of liposomal nutrients such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), glutathione (GSH) Curcumin (CUR) and resveratrol (RES) including the special combination cogniXtra (GSH + CUR + RES + DHA) 20 days before and 7 days after the onset of the neurotoxicity induced by a central injection of amyloid-beta 25-35 (Aβ25-35)-oligomeric peptide. Protection against the neurotoxicity of Aβ25-35 was assessed carrying out two behavior tests evaluating short-term memory (Y-maze) and long-term memory (step through passive avoidance test (STPA) and the measurement of a key brain biomarker, lipid peroxidation (LPO).
Results: Our present research demonstrates the importance of a correct association of the different substances as the treatment with each of them alone was unable to provide any protection from the toxic effects produced by Aβ25-35 injection. CogniXtra formulation combining all of the components was the only one able to reverse completely all the memory deficits both in the Y-maze and in the STPA tests and also to completely protect from oxidative stress as demonstrated by the important LPO elevation measured in the hippocampus.
Conclusions: This study indicates that a combination treatment (cogniXtra) administrated for thirty consecutive days produces a complete neuroprotective effect on the neurotoxic effects produced by Aβ25-35 oligomeric peptide injection. The efficacy of a preventive treatment with cogniXtra in this preclinical model is similar to what could be achieved with other pharmacological approaches. These results strongly suggest the therapeutic interest of cogniXtra for the preventive treatment of AD.
- Role of Nutrition in Disease Prevention| Gynecology & Obstetrics| Diet and Nutrition
Session Introduction
Jones W Ng’ambi
University of Limpopo, RSA
Title: Effect of dietary carrot meal supplementation on productivity of Arbor acre broiler chickens
Biography:
Jones W Ng’ambi holds a BSc Degree in Animal Sciences (University of Zambia, Zambia); MSc in Animal Nutrition (University of Aberdeen, UK) and PhD in Animal Nutrition (University of London, UK). He is a Professor of Animal Nutrition at the University of Limpopo, Republic of South Africa. He has lectured at several universities. He has published extensively and is a Rated Researcher in Republic of South Africa.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Broiler chickens are selected for their better feed conversion ratio and growth rates. However, their mortality rate is high and carcasses from broiler chickens have high fat contents. Excessive fat is one of the main problems faced by the broiler chicken industry. There is some evidence that carrot meal supplementation reduces chick mortality and improves carcass characteristics. However, such evidence is inconclusive.
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of supplementing diets with carrot meal on productivity of Arbor acre broiler chickens aged 1-21 days.
Materials & Methodology: Two hundred unsexed Arbor acre broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five treatments with five replicates, each replication having ten birds. A completely randomized design was used in this experiment. The treatments were 0, 20, 50, 75 or 100 g of carrot meal supplementation per kg DM (dry matter) feed. Quadratic equations were used to determine levels of carrot meal supplementation for optimal feed intake, metabolisable energy intake and nitrogen retention of Arbor acre broiler chickens aged 1 to 21 days. Linear equations were used to determine relationships between carrot meal supplementation and productivity variables.
Findings: Dietary carrot meal supplementation had no effect on growth rate, live weight and feed conversion ratio of unsexed Arbor acre broiler chickens aged 1to 21 days. Carrot meal supplementation improved metabolisable energy intake and nitrogen retention of the chickens. Dietary metabolisable energy intake and nitrogen retention of the chickens were optimized at different carrot meal supplementation levels of 40.5 and 53.57 g/kg DM feed, respectively.
Conclusion & Significance: Carrot meal supplementation had no effect on the performance of unsexed Arbor acre broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. However, carrot meal supplementation improved metabolisable energy intake and nitrogen retention. Optimal improvements of these parameters were achieved at different carrot meal supplementation levels. This has a lot of implications in diet formulations where carrot meal is included.
David A Brown
University of Limpopo, RSA
Title: Effect of dietary tanniniferous Acacia nilotica leaf meal on productivity and methane emission in yearling Boer bucks
Biography:
David A Brown is presently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Republic of South Africa. His expertise lies is in ruminant nutrition. His current research interest includes: i) browsing plant utilization in ruminant. ii) feeding strategies to increase ruminant and non-ruminant production. iii) mitigation of greenhouse gases in ruminants utilizing plant bio-active compounds. He has presented his research findings at several international conferences including Canada, Germany, Ireland, USA and UK.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Goats play important roles in the communal areas of South Africa. However, their productivity is constrained by shortage of good quality feed, especially during the long dry season. Poor nutrition results in low productivity and death in extreme cases. Goats also emit methane (CH4) gas which contributes to loss of dietary gross energy and global warming. There is evidence that tanniniferous feeds in the diets of ruminants, such as Acacia nilotica leaves, may improve goat productivity and decrease CH4 production. However, this evidence is inconclusive.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of tanniniferous Acacia nilotica leaf meal inclusion levels on productivity and CH4 emission in yearling Boer bucks.
Materials & Methodology: Twenty-four yearling Boer bucks with an average live weight of 23±2 kg were allocated, in a completely randomized design, to four dietary treatments containing Acacia nilotica leaf meal inclusion levels of 10, 15, 20 or 30% of the total diet. The goats were fed ad libitum, allowing a 15% refusal of each diet. The experimental lasted for 21 days. Feed intake was measured throughout the study period. Methane emissions were measured using a hand-held CH4 detector. Methane produced was then read as parts per million-metre (ppm-m). The effects of Acacia nilotica leaf meal inclusion levels were subjected to analysis of covariance. Where the covariates showed no significant effect, the data was analyzed with analysis of variance at 5% level of probability with diet as a fixed factor.
Findings: Acacia nilotica leaf meal improved diet crude protein. Additionally, inclusion of Acacia nilotica leaf meal reduced CH4 emission in Boer bucks.
Conclusion & Significance: Acacia nilotica leaf meal had positive impact on animal productivity and enteric methane emissions. Thus, Acacia nilotica leaves have a potential of being a protein feed for ruminants.
- Nutrition and Cancer| Livestock Nutrition |Nutrition and Food Science| Current Research in Nutrition and Dietetics| Food Processing & Technology| Food science and technology |Diet in Obesity and Underweight| Anti-Obesity Drugs| Childhood Obesity and Effects| Current research on Obesity| Obesity in Real Life
Session Introduction
Raluca Maria Pop
UMF Cluj Napoca, Romania
Title: Phytochemicals fingerprinting of Romanian sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.): authenticity evaluation and variety discrimination
Biography:
Raluca Maria Pop pursued PhD in Biotechnology (2011) and a master’s Degree in Food quality management (2010). Since 2012 she is currently working as a Researcher in the Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Cluj Napoca, Romania (Italy). Her research expertise focuses on the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of different drugs and plant extracts. During her research activity, she used different advanced techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GS-MS), UV-VIS spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to characterize and identify different drugs and plant authenticity biomarkers.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Food authenticity involves a complex and comprehensive approach to food characterization at the molecular level. Quality control assessment is an important step in assuring food authenticity. Thus, exhaustive characterization of food matrices is required. Complex and advanced technologies are used for bioactive compound analysis. Generally, two different approaches, selective (S) - using specific and advanced techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GS-MS) and, non-selective (NS) - UV-VIS (ultraviolet-visible) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) have been used so far in authenticity evaluation. Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) represents a valuable source of important bioactive compounds for human health and nutrition, such as fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, phenolics, carotenoids. Carotenoids and phenolic compounds received much interest being associated with lower risk of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and eye disease, cancer or diabetes. Also, they are considered good biomarkers for quality and authenticity evaluation.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the composition of main phenolic and carotenoids compounds and to identify the specific quality and authenticity biomarkers.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: HPLC-PAD (High performance liquid chromatography with Pulsed amperometric detector), GC–MS (Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy) and UHPLC–PAD–ESI-
MS (Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography – Pulsed amperometric detector - Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy) techniques were used for carotenoids characterization. UHPLC/PDA–ESI/MS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic-photodiode array-Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy) was used for phenolic compounds analysis. (NS): UV-Vis and FT-IR have been used for both carotenoids and phenolic compounds analysis.
Findings: Regarding carotenoids, berries had zeaxanthin di-palmitate and b carotene as major compounds, while leaves had lutein, b-carotene, violaxanthin and neoxanthin. Regarding phenolic compounds, berries and leaves had isorhamnetin (I) glycosides in different ratios as major compounds. Using Principal component analysis (PCA) the carotenoid and the phenolic compounds biomarkers were identified for both berries and leaves. (NS): The specific bands for samples discrimination were also identified.
Conclusion & Significance: Both selective and non-selective approaches were successfully used for sample authenticity determination.
Mworozi Edison Arwanire
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Title: The under-estimated problem of obesity among children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): a case of Uganda and South Africa
Biography:
Mworozi Edison Arwanire is a Senior Consultant Pediatrician at Mulago National Referral Hospital and Honorary Lecturer at the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University and Professor of Pediatrics, St. Augustine International University. He is interested in infectious diseases, childhood immunization and non-communicable diseases. He has published widely and is a Peer-reviewer for several journals. He is a Member of several professional and technical bodies including: the Uganda Medical Association, Uganda Pediatric Association, International Society for Infectious Diseases, International Pediatric Association, Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, East African Rotavirus Advisory Collaborative HIV Vaccine Trials and East African Centre for Vaccines and Immunization.
Abstract:
During the past two decades, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children globally has increased from 4.8% to 6.1% and the total number doubled from 5.4 to 10.3 million. Obesity in childhood and adolescence is associated with ill health during childhood, premature mortality and physical morbidity in adulthood. Once obesity is established in children, it is challenging to reverse. Until recently, overweight and obesity were considered as diseases of the developed world, while malnutrition has been considered a problem of the developing world. Several studies have established that obesity and overweight among children in SSA are on the rise. Studies done in South Africa found the prevalence of obesity in children aged 3–16 years to be 3.2% for boys and 4.9% for girls while overweight was 14% for boys and 17.9% for girls. It was further demonstrated that in rural areas, overweight and obesity were more prevalent among girls (15%) than boys (4%). Similarly, studies in Uganda have indicated high prevalence of obesity (32.3%) and overweight (21.7%) among school children and higher prevalence among those in private schools (16.6%) compared to those in public schools (11.5%). In adults, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in peri-urban than rural areas. Among the factors associated with the high prevalence of obesity and overweight are; low physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, dietary intake, psychosocial factors, female gender, inaccurate perceptions about dieting, weight and health status and potential social isolation. This paper aims at raising awareness about overweight and obesity among children in SSA.
Sarfraz Khokhar
Rasimo Systems LLC, USA
Title: A comprehensive system for weight management, implementing golden rules and findings of popular field trials and research through innovative technology
Biography:
Sarfraz Khokhar has his expertise in developing solution to complex problem through technology. He has built this systems after years of research, observation, study and self experince. Most of the prgrams for weight management are expensive for low-income and middle class people. Dr. Khokhar wanted to build and effective yet very cost effective system for the masses.
Abstract:
There are countless research programs and field trials to understand obesity and find ways to stop or mitigate thsse epedemic. The results are spread to people through various channels. Most of the findings on what people should do is a common knowledge. Moreover, there are numerous gadgets and programs to help people loose weight. It is $246 B market, of which $66B is US alone. Nonetheless, people are getting bigger and bigger besides all the efforts they do. When they are tired of not succeeding, they loose heart. On the execution front, what is missing? There is no comprehensive system that would assist and guide people when they are executing their effort on weight management. We have developed a complete system, SureFiz, which comprises of an innovative pattent pending scale and suite of ground breaking software programs and applications weaved through internet of things, data analytics and artificial intelligence. This system implements golden rules and findings of popular research through technology. The scale itself is a breakthough in scale technologies, which shows the users where they stand in their overall and short term goals right on its screen. It implements the idea of breaking large goals into sub goals, accountibility circle, and the idea of instant feedback as you step on the scale. The sub goals are dynamically assigned, reassigned and manage by a pettent pending algorithm. The system put the user back on track if he/she gets of track. It is truley a Secret Sauce that has been missing for decades.
Ananda Mohan Chakraborty
Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, India
Title: Association of epicardial adipose tissue thickness with left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction among Indian phenotype
Biography:
A M Chakraborty completed his MBBS from North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling and is presently doing his Residency in Internal Medicine in IPGMER, Kolkata. He has published number of papers in reputed journals during his Post-graduate Traineeship.
Abstract:
The metabolic effects of obesity are a result of increased adiposity in the ectopic sites. Ectopic fat deposition promotes insulin resistance and increases cardiovascular risk. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the visceral fat of the heart. Indian phenotype is different in many senses; despite of low body mass index (BMI), they have high abdominal and visceral fat, high insulin resistance, low level of adiponectin, high CRP, low HDL and high small dense lipoprotein and triglyceride with more metabolic complications compared to the Western counterparts. The purpose of this study was to detect the presence and extent of left ventricular dysfunction in relation with EAT among patients with Indian phenotype. Overweight and obesity was diagnosed based on BMI. The measurement of EAT thickness and left ventricular dysfunction was performed by transthoracic echocardiography. Among 146 obese and overweight patients assessed, the mean EAT thickness was 5.607 (SD 1.59). Patients having left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) had a mean EAT thickness of 5.60 (SD: 1.66) compared to 4.80 (SD: 2.2) among normal persons (two-tailed P = 0.011, <0.05), which is statistically significant. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) patients had mean EAT thickness of 6.33 (SD: 0.94) compared to 5.35 (SD: 1.58) in normal patients (tow-tailed P = 0.0001, <0.05), that is statistically significant. Mean EAT was poorly correlated with waist circumference and BMI in this study. Greater EAT was found in subjects with higher insulin resistance. EAT was significantly associated with LVDD and LVSD even after adjusting for other metabolic risk factors.
Biography:
Carmen Ghantous is a registered dietitian who founded Carmen’s Diet Clinic in 2013. She offers nutrition and wellness counselling to individuals and corporations. He a specialist in weight management, diabetes, cholesterol, triglycerides treatments, athletes, children, pregnant, breastfeeding women and elderly people nutrition.In addition to Carmen’s aforementioned qualifications, Carmen’s owe three clinics located in different regions in Beirut and she is the health analyst for Unilever Lebanon, Acuvue , Sohnele and Braun products.To help teen achieve improved health, weight loss and overall well-being, Carmen has implemented also a nutrition therapy program for high school students ( St Joseph School) during 2015-2016 and scheduled seminars at Ecole Secondaire des Filles de La Charite -Achrafieh ,College Saint Famille-Fanar , and the Lebanese American University (LAU) Beirut. Carmen is graduated from the Holy Spirit University in Nutrition and Food Studies and completed her dietetic residency at the Lebanese Hospital Geitawi Lebanon. Carmen’s involvement with her patients is not limited to schedule clinic appointments; she also plans regular free nutrition seminars and collaborates with a personal trainer and psychologist to give her patients a comprehensive approach to health living. Carmen has been quoted on MTV at The Doctors show, on AL Jadeed TV with Chef Richard, Radio One Lebanon with Gavin Ford, Light FM with Tanguy Focon & Lebnen El Hor station (every Wednesday until today) . She has also written articles in AL NAHAR Newsletters and AL NASHRA OnlineNews. Carmen’s has participated also in all the international events that took place in Biel (like INSHAPE exhibition 2015, RAMADANIYAT exhibition 2015-2016 and BEIRUT COOKING FESTIVAL 2016 ..
Abstract:
National Diabetes Month is observed every November so individuals, health care professionals, organizations, and communities across the country should bring attention and awareness to diabetes and its impact on millions of people.
Diet & Diabetes: This theme highlights the importance of managing diabetes to prevent diabetes- related health problems such as heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, and amputation. The theme also serves as a reminder to people who may be struggling with the demands of managing diabetes that they can fight these undesirable troubles by the diet.
This presentation is prepared as community awareness campaign for managing diabetes for a longer, healthier life and it will includes why diet is important (fast facts on diabetes and objective), healthy eating (meal plan and dietary advices for diabetes), control the quantity of fats and carbohydrates, importance of weight management and physical activity, and we will finalize by 10 tips for a fit life and body.
Paloma Collado
National Distance Education University (UNED), Spain
Title: Does estradiol have a role during development in the alterations? Produced by under- or over-nutrition in male and female rats?
Biography:
Paloma Collado is a professor of psychobiology at the National University of Distance Education (UNED) in Spain. She obtained her PhD in psychobiology in 1990. Her research has been focused since the beginning of her career in the field of physiological psychology, and for the last fifteen years, on the mechanisms involved in the development of the cerebral circuits that control food intake in rodents. Particularly, this research has focused on the vulnerability of brain circuits that regulate energy homeostasis to under- and over -nutrition, and also on the factors that could modulate the adverse effects that an inadequate nutrition produces during development. She has developed this research as principal Investigator of different grants in collaboration with researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Turin and the Department of Endocrinology at the University Hospital Niño Jesus. Her research has been published in international peer-reviewed journals.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Adequate nutrition during the early stages of life is crucial for proper development of the neurohormonal systems that control food intake. Numerous investigations have shown that both under- and over-nutrition produce alterations in the functioning of the systems that regulate energy metabolism, and some of these alterations have been shown to be different in male and female rats. In the past decade it has been shown that leptin acts as a trophic factor during development in the programming of hypothalamic circuits that control energy metabolism. Our hypothesis is that estradiol, which shares with leptin the pathway to regulate food intake, could modulate the alterations produced by under- or over-nutrition during the early postnatal stage. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Male and female Wistar rats were submitted to a high fat (HFD) (34.9% fat), low protein (LP) (8%) or a control diet from gestational day 6. From postnatal (P) 6 to P13, both control and HFD/LP groups were administered a s.c. injection of vehicle or estradiol benzoate (0.4 mg/kg). Body weight, food intake and subcutaneous, visceral, and brown fat pads were measured. Hypothalamic neuropeptide content was analyzed by RT-PCR and plasma estradiol levels were measured by ELISA. Findings: Changes in several physiological and neuroendocrinological parameters due to malnutrition and overnutrition were differentially detected in male and female rats, with more significant physiological changes found in males and neuroendocrinological changes found in females. Conclusion & Significance: Our results confirm that estradiol during development modulates the alterations produced by malnutrition and might suggest a possible role of estradiol in the programming of the circuits that regulate energy metabolism. In addition, they confirm the importance f studying males and females in order to disentangle the mechanisms underlying food intake to prevent the onset of feeding disorders.