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Subcutaneous fat mass in infancy and cardiovascular risk factors at school-age: The generation R study

Susana Santos1,2, Romy Gaillard2,3,4, Andreia Oliveira1,5

  • 1EPI-Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|January 28, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Infant subcutaneous fat showed weak links to school-age cholesterol levels. Early fat stores may influence later cardiovascular health, warranting further investigation into infant body composition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)

Background:

  • Infant body composition, specifically subcutaneous fat, may influence long-term cardiometabolic health.
  • Understanding early life fat distribution is crucial for identifying potential cardiovascular risk factors later in life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infant subcutaneous fat measures and cardiovascular risk factors at school-age.
  • To determine if early adiposity predicts later lipid profiles, blood pressure, and insulin sensitivity.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based prospective cohort study of 808 children.
  • Measurement of total subcutaneous fat and central-to-total subcutaneous fat ratio at 1.5 and 24 months.
  • Assessment of body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels at 6 years.

Main Results:

  • Infant subcutaneous fat was not associated with childhood blood pressure, triglycerides, or insulin.
  • Higher total subcutaneous fat at 1.5 months correlated with lower LDL-cholesterol at 6 years.
  • Higher total subcutaneous fat at 24 months was linked to increased total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol at 6 years.

Conclusions:

  • Infant total subcutaneous fat exhibits a weak association with school-age cholesterol levels.
  • The timing of infant adiposity may differentially impact later cardiometabolic risk.
  • Further research is essential to elucidate the long-term cardiometabolic implications of infant body fat accumulation.
Abstract

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