Abstract
BackgroundPrenatal life exposures, potentially manifested as altered birth size, may influence the later risk of major chronic diseases through direct biologic effects on disease processes, but also by modifying adult behaviors such as physical activity that may influence later disease risk.Methods/Principal FindingsWe investigated the association between birth weight and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in 43,482 adolescents and adults from 13 Nordic cohorts. Random effects meta-analyses were performed on categorical estimates from cohort-, age-, sex- and birth weight specific analyses. Birth weight showed a reverse U-shaped association with later LTPA; within the range of normal weight the association was negligible but weights below and above this range were associated with a lower probability of undertaking LTPA. Compared with the reference category (3.26–3.75 kg), the birth weight categories of 1.26–1.75, 1.76–2.25, 2.26–2.75, and 4.76–5.25 kg, had odds ratios of 0.67 (95% confidence interval: 0.47, 0.94), 0.72 (0.59, 0.88), 0.89 (0.79, 0.99), and 0.65 (0.50, 0.86), respectively. The shape and strength of the birth weight-LTPA association was virtually independent of sex, age, gestational age, educational level, concurrent body mass index, and smoking.Conclusions/SignificanceThe association between birth weight and undertaking LTPA is very weak within the normal birth weight range, but both low and high birth weights are associated with a lower probability of undertaking LTPA, which hence may be a mediator between prenatal influences and later disease risk.
Highlights
It has been shown that babies born small have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes [1,2,3], the metabolic syndrome [4], and coronary heart disease [5,6] later in life
A high birth weight is associated with later risk of obesity [7,8,9,10] and type 2 diabetes [1] and both low and high birth weights are associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in adulthood [11]
This study investigated birth weight as a determinant of a behavioral outcome in terms of physical activity during leisure time among adolescents and adults
Summary
It has been shown that babies born small have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes [1,2,3], the metabolic syndrome [4], and coronary heart disease [5,6] later in life. A high birth weight is associated with later risk of obesity [7,8,9,10] and type 2 diabetes [1] and both low and high birth weights are associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in adulthood [11]. These associations have been interpreted as a consequence of nonoptimal growth during foetal life and infancy with long-term effects on cardiovascular function, referred to as the ‘‘developmental origins of disease hypothesis’’ [3]. Potentially manifested as altered birth size, may influence the later risk of major chronic diseases through direct biologic effects on disease processes, and by modifying adult behaviors such as physical activity that may influence later disease risk
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
