An elevated BMI during adolescence (starting within the range currently considered normal) is strongly associated with the risk of developing obesity-related disorders later in life, independent of adult BMI. Increases in BMI during early adulthood (age 25-40) are associated with a worse profile of biomarkers related to obesity than the profile of biomarkers of BMI increased during later adulthood. This is consistent with most emerging data regarding the timing of changes in BMI and later health consequences.