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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Maternal size in pregnancy and body composition in children

Catharine R Gale1, M Kassim Javaid, Sian M Robinson

  • 1Medical Research Council Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom. crg@mrc.soton.ac.uk

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|August 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Maternal size during pregnancy, including prepregnant body mass index (BMI) and mid-upper arm circumference, is linked to increased childhood adiposity. This association suggests a lasting impact of maternal factors on a child's body composition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Human Body Composition

Background:

  • Maternal adiposity during pregnancy is associated with higher infant fat mass.
  • The persistence of this association into childhood remains unclear.
  • Understanding early life influences on body composition is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between maternal size during pregnancy and children's body composition at age 9.
  • To examine the association between maternal prepregnant body mass index (BMI) and mid-upper arm circumference with children's fat mass index (FMI) and lean mass index (LMI).

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study conducted in Southampton, UK.
  • 216 nine-year-old children and their mothers were recruited.
  • Maternal prepregnant BMI and mid-upper arm circumference (in late pregnancy) were recorded.
  • Children's fat mass and lean mass were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, with fat mass index (FMI) and lean mass index (LMI) calculated.

Main Results:

  • Higher maternal prepregnant BMI and larger mid-upper arm circumference in late pregnancy were associated with greater FMI in children at age 9.
  • A 1-unit increase in maternal mid-upper arm circumference correlated with a 0.26-0.44 sd increase in child's FMI.
  • A 1-unit increase in maternal prepregnant BMI correlated with a 0.26-0.42 sd increase in child's FMI.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal prepregnant BMI and mid-pregnancy upper arm circumference are significant predictors of childhood adiposity.
  • The study highlights the lasting impact of maternal size on offspring body composition.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms (genetic, lifestyle, or in-utero effects) driving this association.
Abstract

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