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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Birth weight and overweight/obesity in adults: a meta-analysis

Yan Zhao1, Su-Fang Wang, Min Mu

  • 1School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|March 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

High birth weight, not low birth weight, is linked to increased adult overweight and obesity risk. This meta-analysis found no linear or J/U-shaped relationship between birth weight and adult BMI categories.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Birth weight is a critical indicator of fetal growth and development.
  • Overweight and obesity in adulthood are significant public health concerns associated with numerous chronic diseases.
  • Understanding the long-term implications of birth weight on adult body composition is crucial for preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the association between birth weight and the risk of overweight and obesity in adulthood.
  • To investigate potential non-linear relationships (e.g., J-shaped or U-shaped curves) between birth weight and adult overweight/obesity.

Main Methods:

  • A meta-analysis was conducted, including fifteen studies with a total of 211,457 participants.
  • Studies were identified using MeSH terms: "birth weight," "obesity," and "overweight."
  • Odds ratios (OR) and mean differences in Body Mass Index (BMI) were calculated for low and high birth weight categories compared to normal birth weight.

Main Results:

  • High birth weight (≥ 4,000 g) was significantly associated with an increased risk of adult overweight/obesity (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.27, 1.68) and higher BMI (mean difference = 0.76 kg/m²).
  • Low birth weight (< 2,500 g) was not significantly associated with an increased risk of adult overweight/obesity (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 0.94, 1.46) or decreased risk of obesity.
  • The analysis indicated no positively linear, J-shaped, or U-shaped relationship between birth weight and adult overweight/obesity.

Conclusions:

  • High birth weight, rather than low birth weight, is a significant risk factor for developing overweight and obesity in adulthood.
  • These findings highlight the importance of monitoring fetal growth and addressing factors contributing to high birth weight for long-term public health.
  • The study refutes the existence of simple linear or U-shaped associations, emphasizing a specific risk linked to high birth weight.
Abstract

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