From lifespan to healthspan: why childhood nutrition is key to the new longevity

In light of the Global Risks Report recently published by the World Economic Forum, the challenge of an ageing population has never been more pressing. The population of adults aged 65 and older is growing, and their average age is also rising (see infographic below).

The Global Healthspan Summit in Riyadh highlighted the preservation of quality of life as an indicator of progress in longevity. Healthspan – the years lived in good health – begins in early life, with childhood nutrition serving as the foundation. Lifespan without healthspan can result in prolonged periods of ill health, disability and increased healthcare costs – burdens that are already weighing heavily on global economies.

The developmental origins of health and disease concept underscores that the environment and nutrition experienced in early childhood significantly influence long-term health outcomes. A large long-term study has demonstrated that inadequate nutrition during the formative years predisposes individuals to a range of non-communicable diseases later in life, from cardiovascular disorders to metabolic syndrome. Inadequate nutrient intake during critical developmental windows not only compromises immune function and cognitive development in childhood, but also sets the stage for a diminished healthspan in adulthood.

Multiple studies emphasize that optimal nutrition in early life can significantly enhance healthspan by reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The nutritional status of a child not only affects immediate growth and cognitive development, but also has far-reaching implications for the maintenance of organ function and resilience to stress in later life. Truly, investing in early childhood nutrition yields the real “longevity dividend”; a concept that posits the benefits of early intervention extend well beyond mere survival, contributing to overall vitality and the ability to lead an active, productive life into old age.

Robust evidence supports the notion that ensuring complete nutrition during the early stages of life – where diet diversity, micronutrient sufficiency and even targeted supplementation play critical roles – can help avert the long-term consequences of nutrient deficiencies.

Much of the current excitement around longevity research revolves around high-cost, technologically advanced therapies. Cutting-edge longevity interventions like gene therapies and cellular reprogramming are undoubtedly fascinating, yet they come with prohibitive price tags that risk exacerbating health inequities. The promise of these therapies often remains confined to wealthy segments of society, leaving the majority without access.

In stark contrast, nutritional interventions represent a cost-effective and scalable approach to improving public health. The benefits of a well-nourished childhood extend far beyond individual health, contributing to broader economic and social stability. Research has shown that improving childhood nutrition leads to better educational outcomes, higher productivity, and reduced healthcare expenditure. In addition, comprehensive datasets from the World Health Organization’s nutrition reports provide compelling evidence that early-life nutrition has a profound impact on lifelong health outcomes linked to lower rates of chronic diseases and improved cognitive development.

Such evidence reinforces the argument that the longevity dividend cannot be achieved by focusing solely on cutting-edge, expensive therapies. Instead, it demands a return to the fundamentals: Ensuring that every child has access to complete, balanced nutrition. This approach not only offers the potential to add life to years but, more importantly, health to life – which makes investment in childhood nutrition a socio-economic imperative that can help close the gap between different strata of society.

Recent high-profile research has indeed questioned the value of multivitamin and mineral supplements in prolonging life. However, such findings must be interpreted within context. These studies often focus on supplementation in middle-aged or older populations, where the opportunity to influence lifelong nutritional trajectories is reduced. In addition, the interventions are not targeted at people with specific deficiencies.

By contrast, evidence suggests that when nutritional supplementation is provided as an early intervention, it has the potential to correct suboptimal nutrient intake during critical periods of development. For instance, data from several long-term studies indicate that children who receive targeted micronutrient interventions exhibit improved cognitive and physical outcomes – a trend that persists well into adulthood. This suggests that while targeted supplementation may not magically extend lifespan, its strategic use during early development can play a crucial role in fostering a healthier, more resilient population.

The key is recognizing that nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all, and that supplementation must be tailored to the individual’s broader dietary context and developmental needs. Vitamin and mineral supplements should not be viewed as isolated remedies, but as part of a nutritional strategy that emphasizes food quality and adequate nutrient intake from the very beginning.

The prevailing focus on funding advanced biomedical interventions has inadvertently overshadowed the critical role of early nutrition in extending not just lifespan, but healthspan. By reorienting our perspective toward foundational dietary practices, we can start to democratize longevity and healthspan for all, along anticipating global demographic trends forecasting an inevitable rise in the elderly population.

Thus, governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations must collaborate to address childhood nutrition as a strategic investment in long-term economic resilience (see infographic above). Policies should include:

As disparities in health outcomes widen, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, it becomes clear that the promise of longevity is hollow unless it translates into years of healthy, productive living for all. To bring longevity to all, we must recentre our approach on the age-old adage that “we are what we eat”, reaffirming that the fundamentals of food and nutrition are the keys to a future where extended years are synonymous with vibrant, thriving lives. Early childhood nutrition is not just a preventive measure, but a critical investment in the future well-being of our societies.