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[Incidence of low birth weight in academic youth]

Anna Kęska1, Joanna Tkaczyk, Anna Czajkowska

  • 1Zaklad Biologii Akademii Wychowania Fizycznego Jozefa Pilsudskiego w Warszawie. anna.keska@awf.edu.pl

Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
|November 25, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight (LBW) affects 18% of academic youth, appearing more in females. LBW is linked to lower adult height and weight, and in males, impacts body fat distribution.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology and metabolic health.
  • Anthropometry and body composition analysis.
  • Public health and epidemiology of birth outcomes.

Context:

  • Birth parameters are crucial for assessing infant maturity and identifying risks for developmental and metabolic issues.
  • Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with increased adiposity, particularly abdominal fat, and is a criterion for metabolic syndrome in non-obese adults.
  • Understanding the long-term health implications of LBW in young adults is essential for preventative health strategies.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate the prevalence of low birth weight among academic youth aged 19-25 years.
  • To investigate the association between birth weight and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, WHR) and body composition in young adults.
  • To explore potential sex differences in the prevalence of LBW and its health correlates.

Summary:

  • 18% of the studied academic population (146 students) were born with low birth weight (≤2999 g), with a higher proportion of females (65%) in this group.
  • Students with LBW exhibited significantly lower standardized height and body mass compared to those with normal birth weight.
  • While overall body fat content was similar, the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was significantly lower in men born with LBW.

Impact:

  • Confirms the link between birth parameters and adult anthropometric characteristics, highlighting the lasting effects of early development.
  • Suggests that low birth weight may be more prevalent in females and potentially associated with metabolic health indicators like MONW (metabolic obesity normal weight).
  • Indicates that in young men, birth weight is a significant factor influencing body fat distribution, as evidenced by WHR differences.
Abstract

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