Childhood growth patterns and cardiovascular autonomic modulation in midlife: Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort Study

Abstract

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that age and body mass index (BMI) at BMI peak during infancy and at BMI rebound in childhood are related to cardiovascular autonomic modulation in adulthood. Methods: At the age of 46, a sample (n=5 861) of the participants of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 took part in follow-up examinations. Heart rate variability (HRV), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and low-frequency oscillations of systolic blood pressure (LFSBP) were measured during sympathetic stimulus by standing. BMI at various ages was calculated from frequent anthropometric measurements collected from child welfare clinical records. BRS and LFSBP were available for 1243 participants with BMI peak data and 1524 participants with BMI rebound data, and HRV for 2137 participants with BMI peak data and 2688 participants with BMI rebound data. Results: Age at BMI rebound had a significant inverse association with LFSBP (Beta=-0.071, p=0.006) after all adjustments (p<0.001) and was also directly associated with BRS (Beta=0.082, p=0.001) independently of birth and maternal factors (p=0.023). BMI at BMI peak and at BMI rebound was inversely associated with high frequency component of HRV (HF) (Beta=-0.045, p=0.036 for BMI at peak; Beta=-0.043, p=0.024 for BMI at rebound) and directly associated with the ratio of low-and highfrequency components of HRV (LF/HF ratio) (Beta=0.084, p=<0.001 for BMI at peak; Beta=0.069, p<0.001 for BMI at rebound). These associations remained significant after all adjustments (p<0.05 for all). Conclusions: This novel study shows that younger age at BMI rebound and higher BMI at BMI peak and at BMI rebound are associated with higher levels in markers 4 suggestive of augmented sympathetic and reduced vagal cardiovascular modulation in 65 midlife. 66

Autonomic Profile, Physical Activity, Body Mass Index and Academic Performance of School Students

“…The HRV analysis has been confirmed as a useful and non-invasive technique to measure autonomic modulation in children [49]. Students' HR mean analysis revealed a tendency to decrease by grade whereas an incremental tendency in parasympathetic modulation (RMSSD, pNN50 and SD1) was found by grade and age, coinciding with previous researches [50,51]. These results might be in accordance with a normal maturation of autonomic nervous system where parasympathetic activation increases from birth to young adulthood [52,53].…”

Cohort Profile: 46 years of follow-up of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966)

“… 9 Early life trends in adiposity [body mass index (BMI) and age at BMI peak and rebound) have also been associated with cardiovascular autonomic function in mid-life. 10 …”

Pre-Birth and Early-Life Factors Associated With the Timing of Adiposity Peak and Rebound: A Large Population-Based Longitudinal Study

“…There is growing evidence that the age at AP or AR has a predictive significance for obesity in later life. The current literature has shown that a later AP or an earlier AR is associated with the occurrence of overweight or obesity (6)(7)(8)(9) and the associated adverse health outcomes (insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disorders) in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood (6,7,(9)(10)(11)(12).…”