In Search of Environmental Factors Associated With Global Differences in Birth Weight and BMI
Per M Jensen1, Marten Sørensen1
1Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Summary
Daily temperature fluctuations are linked to fetal growth rates and adult obesity. These findings expand the "fetal origin of adult diseases hypothesis" by highlighting environmental factors like aridity and food scarcity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Developmental biology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The "fetal origin of adult diseases hypothesis" posits that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) impacts long-term health.
- Not all causes of IUGR affect developmental trajectories; chronic or seasonal IUGR may have minimal impact.
- Alternative mechanisms, such as repeated metabolic pathway stimulation, might influence developmental trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between daily temperature variations and fetal growth rates.
- To explore the link between daily temperature amplitudes and Body Mass Index (BMI) in the context of the fetal origin of adult diseases hypothesis.
- To determine if environmental factors like temperature amplitude influence crude fetal growth rates (CFGR) and BMI.
Main Methods:
- Assessed the association between daily temperature amplitudes and global records of crude fetal growth rates (CFGR) and BMI.
- Utilized paired birthweight (BW) and gestational age (GA) data from 70 countries for CFGR analysis.
- Analyzed CFGR in relation to daily temperature amplitude, seasonal temperature amplitude, mean annual temperature, calorie intake, BMI, height, and socioeconomic conditions.
Main Results:
- A clear association was found between daily temperature amplitudes and both CFGR and BMI.
- No significant association was observed between daily temperature amplitudes and gestational age, calorie intake, or height.
- These findings suggest a direct environmental influence on fetal growth and subsequent BMI.
Conclusions:
- Daily temperature amplitudes are significantly associated with CFGR and BMI.
- These results broaden the ecological understanding of the fetal origin of adult diseases hypothesis.
- Environmental aridity and food scarcity, indicated by daily temperature amplitudes, may influence the prevalence of diseases linked to fetal development.
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