Size at birth and abdominal adiposity in adults: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

SummaryWe performed a systematic literature review on the associations between birth size and abdominal adiposity in adults, while also investigating the role of the adjustment for adult body mass index (BMI). MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS and SciELO databases were searched for articles published up to February 2013. Only prospective studies were included. After screening 2,570 titles, we selected 31 publications for the narrative synthesis, of which 13 were considered to be of high methodological quality. Six main indicators of birth size were identified, and birth weight (BW) was the most extensively studied. Most studies relied on anthropometric measurements as proxies for abdominal fatness or as indicators of body fat distribution. Few studies assessed abdominal adiposity through imaging methods, generally with small sample sizes. Eleven articles could be included in the meta-analyses. BW was found to be positively associated with waist circumference in adulthood, but the association disappeared after adjustment for adult BMI. In contrast, there was no association between BW and waist-to-hip ratio, whereas a strong negative association became evident after controlling for adult BMI. In conclusion, BW seems to be associated with larger adult size in general, including both waist and hip circumferences. The marked change in coefficients after adjustment for adult BMI suggests that post-natal growth strongly affects relative central adiposity, whereas BW per se does not play a role. Given the potential impact of post-natal growth, further research is needed to identify different growth trajectories that lead to abdominal adiposity, as well as studies on interactions of foetal and post-natal growth patterns.

Visfatin serum level and expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in prepubertal boys

“…Recent studies show that obesity is a leading cause of paediatric hypertension associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and presents a risk factor to adult cardiometabolic diseases . For adequate prevention and future obesity treatment, it is necessary to determine the link of prenatal period of obesity development and associated risk factors (genetic and environmental) with post‐natal growth patterns , and physiology of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) development and its activity from birth to childhood and later in adulthood.…”

Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate Exposure and Ponderal Index in Preterm Infants

“…17 Weight and adiposity at birth are related to future total and central adiposity, insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and death. [4][5][6]9 Previous studies have suggested that the trajectory of adiposity and weight gain from birth to 2 years of age is associated with increased childhood obesity and adverse cardiovascular risk factors in later life. 7,18,19 Given the implications for adulthood, infant, and childhood PI is an important measure to consider.…”

“…Weight and adiposity at birth are key determinants of insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and death. [4][5][6][7] While contributors to infant growth and adiposity are complex and multifactorial, data demonstrate significant influence of the intrauterine environment. 8,9 The ponderal index (PI kg/m 3 ) is a commonly used anthropometric measure of infant adiposity, and represents a phenotype that could be influenced by MgSO 4 .…”

Secular trends of birthweight in boys from 1950 to 2010

“…3,6 Some risk factors contributing to obesity are present already during fetal life and the effect is probably a combination of genetic and environmental factors. 7 Knowledge of the secular trends of BW is mainly based on research focused on recent periods when the obesity epidemic or the smoking era, or both, presumably has influenced BW. Two well-powered studies from Denmark and the USA spanning the mid-thirties to the mid-eighties show stable trends for mean BW.…”