No Association between Low Birth Weight and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Early Adulthood: Evidence from São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundA growing literature suggests that low birth weight increases the risk of poor health outcomes in adulthood. We tested this hypothesis among young adults living in São Paulo State, Brazil.Methods and FindingsTo identify the effects of low birth weight on young adulthood outcomes, a medical assessment of 297 individuals born between 1977 and 1989 was conducted at a primary care unit in São Paulo State, Brazil. We analyzed body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, fasting glucose and total cholesterol levels using linear and logistic regressions. Low birth was negatively associated with BMI (β = −2.0, 95% CI: −3.69, −0.27, p = 0.02), fasting glucose levels (β = −1.9, 95% CI: −3.9, −0.07, p = 0.05), waist-hip ratio (β = −0.03, 95% CI: −0.07, −0.01, p = 0.10), systolic blood pressure (β = −3.32, 95% CI: −7.60, 0.96, p = 0.12), and total cholesterol levels (β = −3.19, 95% CI: −16.43, 10.05, p = 0.636). Low birth weight was also associated with lower odds of young adults being overweight and obese, but neither association was statistically significant. Weight gain in the first 12 months of life was associated with higher adult BMI (β = 0.79, 95% CI: −0.0455, 1.623, p = 0.064) and blood pressure (β = 2.79, 95% CI: 0.22, 5.35, p = 0.034). No associations were found between low birth weight and early life (catch-up) growth.ConclusionsLow birth weight was not associated with poor health outcomes among young adults in Brazil. These results appear inconsistent with the original Barker hypothesis, but will need to be corroborated in larger samples with longer follow-ups to allow a more general evaluation of the validity of the hypothesis in low and middle income countries.

Overweight, Obesity, and Body Composition in 3.5- and 7-Year-Old Swedish Children Born with Marginally Low Birth Weight

“…16,17,28 We used the IOTF definition of overweight and obesity and found no correlation to being born with MLBW; however, of note is that the prevalence found were generally low, lower than previously shown in Swedish children, 29 and our study might have been underpowered to show small but clinically relevant differences. The reason for our low prevalence may be a biased selection of families of greater socioeconomic status, but they might also reflect a suggested recent decline in the prevalence of overweight among Swedish children.…”

“…In fact, that conclusion is in agreement with several previous studies, including a recent meta-analysis in which the authors found that high birth weight but not LBW correlated to later obesity. 16,17 We found no previous paper in which the authors studied children with MLBW separately.…”

“…Several studies have confirmed an association between LBW and later increased body mass index (BMI) 14,15 ; however, the mechanisms of this association are unclear, and there are several studies, including a recent meta-analysis, which failed to show any correlation between LBW and BMI/obesity. 16,17 The reason for these previously diverging results is most likely because LBW occurs at different degrees and subgroups and because of different settings with regard to nutrition, time periods, and sociodemographic factors. 8,16 The majority of children with LBW are born only with marginally LBW (MLBW; 2000-2500 g), with or without IUGR, and the magnitude and emergence of overweight and obesity in these subjects are less known, especially in healthy and well-nourished populations.…”

Análise dos fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular em crianças escolares de 5 a 9 anos procedentes de escolas públicas da região central da cidade de Fortaleza-Ceará-Brasil

“…Os cientistas que estudam DOHAD ainda estão longe de um consenso real quanto aos mecanismos precisos que explicam a relação entre o crescimento intraútero e as doenças crônicas. [50][51][52][53][54] Revisões avaliando vários estudos com associações empíricas entre baixo peso ao nascer e obesidade tardia revelaram que a evidência é inconclusiva na maioria dos estudos publicados. 55 Alguns estudos não encontraram associações entre marcadores perinatais e riscos futuros, apresentando resultados inconsistentes com a hipótese original de Barker.…”

“…55 Alguns estudos não encontraram associações entre marcadores perinatais e riscos futuros, apresentando resultados inconsistentes com a hipótese original de Barker. 47,[50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63] Outros estudos demonstraram que a epidemia de obesidade, resultando em mais mulheres obesas, antes e durante a gravidez, poderia gerar descendentes com peso de nascimento mais altos e mais gordura corporal, e realizar um aumento do risco de obesidade mais tarde na vida. 64 Aspectos vinculados à exposição precoce a ambientes adversos são…”