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Can birth weight predict later body composition in anorexia nervosa?
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|March 2, 2012
Summary
Birth weight is linked to body composition, including fat-free mass and BMI, even in severely underweight anorexia nervosa (AN) patients. This suggests early life factors influence body composition long-term in AN.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine and Biology
- Human Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The impact of birth weight on later body composition in anorexia nervosa (AN) has not been previously investigated.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for comprehending long-term health trajectories in AN patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between birth weight and body composition in individuals with AN.
- To determine if birth weight programming effects on body composition persist in severely emaciated AN patients.
Main Methods:
- 151 female AN patients (aged 13-44) from French inpatient facilities participated.
- Birth weight, body weight, and height were recorded.
- Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Main Results:
- Birth weight showed a significant positive correlation with lifetime maximum body mass index (BMI) (r=0.211, P=0.009).
- A significant correlation was found between birth weight and fat-free mass index (FFMI) (r=0.190, P=0.027).
- No significant correlation was observed between birth weight and fat mass index (FMI).
Conclusions:
- The study confirms that birth weight remains associated with FFMI and BMI in severely emaciated AN patients.
- These findings suggest that early life influences on body composition are detectable despite severe malnutrition in AN.
- Further research with larger, diverse samples is recommended to explore factors like gender, puberty, and ethnicity.
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