Relationship between Children’s Birth Weight and Birth Length and a Risk of Overweight and Obesity in 4–15-Year-Old Children

Abstract

Background and Objectives. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between children’s birth weight/length and a risk of overweight and obesity. Materials and Methods. The study involved 747 children from kindergartens, as well as primary and middle schools from southeastern Poland. All the subjects were examined on fasting status. Each child was examined for body mass and height, in order to calculate their body mass index (BMI), and BMI centile. The parents completed a questionnaire related to basic information about the child and the family. Results. In the study group, the male infants presented greater birth body weight and birth body length. A comparison of the distribution of birth weights and lengths between the children with normal BMI and with high BMI showed statistically significant differences only in the case of birth length of 12–15-year-old children and in the group of boys aged 12–15 years. In the case of the female children and the group of 7–11-year-olds a statistically significant difference was found in the BMI centile at a later age—a higher centile was found in the girls and in the children aged 7–11 years classified as adequate for gestational age (AGA). Conclusions. Birth body weight is positively related to BMI centile; however, no significant differences were found in birth weight between children with overweight/obesity and children with normal body weight. Birth length is associated with a lower BMI centile only in boys aged 12–15 years, and lower birth length is found in boys with overweight and obesity.

Effects of Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure on Birth Outcomes, Brain Structure, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

“…The U-shaped relationship between the birth length and risk of hospitalization early in life due to all causes was found among Japanese children [44]. And the relationship between a lower birth length and risk of overweight and obesity in boys was found in the study which involved 747 children in southeastern Poland [45]. Prenatal MA exposure affecting the birth length of infants was found by Abar et al [18], Eze et al [24], Lagasse et al [41], Diaz et al [21], Shah et al [26], and the data in some studies also show a decreasing tendency but there was no statistical difference [19,22,25].…”

Birth weight, life course factors and excess weight among schoolchildren in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2010

“…Several studies have shown inconsistent results, suggesting that further research on this topic is necessary. 9 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 …”

Risk Factors for Obesity Development in Different Periods of Childhood

“…В работе Joanna Baran и соавт. отмечалась связь массы тела при рождении с ИМТ, но не было обнаружено значительных различий в массе тела при рождении между детьми с избыточной массой тела или ожирением и детьми с нормальной массой тела [27]. Дети, которые были рождены недоношенными, также имели более высокие шансы развития ожирения по сравнению с доношенными новорожденными [28].…”

“…Не вызывает сомнений связь вида вскармливания и ИМТ ребенка. Вероятность развития ожирения выше у детей на искусственном вскармливании или получавших грудное молоко в течение короткого времени [29] по сравнению с детьми, которых кормили грудью не менее 6 мес [27]. Напротив, грудное вскармливание более 6 мес было связано со снижением риска избыточной массы тела у детей в возрасте 2 лет [30].…”