Decreased exercise in adults with birth weights

Abstract

The Barker hypothesis, also referred to as the Developmental Origins of Adult Diseases Hypothesis, relates adverse outcomes in adults to low birth weight. A category of low birth weight individuals are those born preterm, which has been linked to abnormalities in glucose metabolism and blood pressure in childhood. Adult degenerative diseases are adversely affected by a lack of exercise. Kajantie et al from Helsinki, Finland, report that young adults (mean age 22 years) who had birth weights <1500 g exercise less than a comparison group of young adults born with normal birth weights at term. This is a useful observation because exercise is a modifiable variable that may decrease the already increased risks of diseases, such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease, in this high risk group. Article page 610 ▸ Adults Born at Very Low Birth Weight Exercise Less than Their Peers Born at TermThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 157Issue 4PreviewTo study the effects of very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) birth on physical activity, an important protective and modifiable factor. Full-Text PDF