Children born underweight have a substantial risk of centralobesity (big stomachs, the worst kind of fat) as adults, while children born too big risk greater overall fatness as adults.
The firm plans to invest in three main areas: cancer, metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity, and diseases of the central nervous system such as Alzheimer's, depression and schizophrenia.
The prince's remarks also echoed comments by Cardiff Central MP Jon Owen Jones last week, who called on schools to teach more cookery skills to help combat obesity.