The present invention provides a betaine compound for use in the prevention of obesity, excessive fat accumulation and/or metabolic disorders associated with either of the foregoing in a subject, wherein the prevention comprises administering the betaine compound directly to the subject during infancy or, alternatively, to the subject's mother during breast-feeding. Also provided are compositions comprising an effective amount of betaine compound together with one or more pharmaceutically or edible acceptable excipients and/or carriers for this use.
