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Ethnicity modifies seasonal variations in birth weight and weight gain of infants

Laurence van Hanswijck de Jonge1, Glenn Waller, Nicolas Stettler

  • 1Department of Psychology, Aras an Phiarsaigh, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

The Journal of Nutrition
|May 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Infant birth weight and early weight gain differ by season, particularly for Black and Puerto Rican infants. Seasonal variations in growth may impact long-term health outcomes like obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Early growth is crucial for preventing adult obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Seasonal and temperature variations at birth are linked to obesity.
  • Understanding seasonal effects on infant growth is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of season on birth weight.
  • To examine seasonal effects on infant weight gain during the first four months of life.
  • To assess if these seasonal variations are modified by ethnicity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the National Collaborative Perinatal Project.
  • Analyzed birth weight and weight gain for full-term infants.
  • Compared growth metrics across different birth seasons and ethnic groups.

Main Results:

  • Black infants born in fall had significantly lower birth weight than winter births.
  • Fall-born Black and Puerto Rican infants showed lower weight gain in the first four months.
  • Seasonal growth variations were observed and modified by ethnicity.

Conclusions:

  • Birth weight and early infant weight gain exhibit seasonal variations.
  • These seasonal effects on growth are influenced by ethnicity.
  • Seasonal variations in pre- and postnatal growth warrant further investigation for health implications.

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