Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Birthweight and its association with cardiometabolic risk parameters in rural Maya children from Yucatan, Mexico
Julio Lara-Riegos1, Hugo Azcorra2, Juan Carlos Salazar-Rendón3
1Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México.
Insights
Higher birthweight in Maya children is linked to poorer cardiometabolic health markers. This study in rural Yucatan found increased LDL/HDL, TC/HDL, and metabolic index with higher birthweight (BW).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiometabolic Health
- Human Development
Background:
- Limited understanding of early developmental factors influencing cardiometabolic health in Maya populations.
- Cardiometabolic health is crucial for long-term well-being, with early life factors potentially playing a significant role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between birthweight (BW) and cardiometabolic parameters in rural Maya children.
- To provide insights into early life determinants of cardiometabolic health in this specific indigenous group.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 75 Maya children (aged 5-14 years) in Yucatan, Mexico.
- Collected anthropometric data, birthweight (BW), and fasting blood samples.
- Analyzed relationships between BW z-score and cardiometabolic parameters (e.g., BMI, glucose, lipids, metabolic index) using multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- A one standard deviation increase in BW predicted a 6.6% decrease in HDL.
- Higher BW was associated with significant increases in LDL/HDL (11%), TC/HDL (7.8%), and metabolic index (19.6%).
- These findings suggest adverse biochemical profiles linked to higher birthweight.
Conclusions:
- Higher birthweight is associated with adverse cardiometabolic risk factors in rural Maya children.
- Early developmental factors like birthweight may influence long-term cardiometabolic health trajectories in this population.
- Further research is needed to confirm these associations and explore underlying mechanisms.
Background:
Knowledge about the influence of early developmental factors on cardiometabolic health in the Maya is limited.
Aim:
To analyse the relationship between birthweight (BW) and cardiometabolic parameters in a sample of rural Maya children from Yucatan, Mexico.
Subjects And Methods:
We took anthropometric measurements and obtained data on BW and fasting blood samples in a sample of 75 children aged 5-14 years. Dependent variables were: fat mass index (FMI), body mass index (BMI), glucose (G), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), LDL/HDL and TC/HDL ratios and metabolic index (TGxG/HDL2). Outcomes were transformed to y = 100 log(e)x and the resulting estimates are interpreted as symmetrical percentage differences. The main independent variable was BW z-score. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between BW and outcomes.
Results:
An increase of one standard deviation in BW predicted 6.6% (95% CI [-11.6, -1.6]) decrease in HDL and 11% (95% CI [3.7, 18.4]), 7.8% (95% CI [2.3, 13.2]) and 19.6% (95% CI [3.1, 36]) increases in LDL/HDL, TC/HDL and metabolic index, respectively.
Conclusion:
Higher birthweights were associated with adverse levels of biochemical parameters in this sample of rural Maya children.
Related Concept Videos
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
01:24Obesity
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational