 |
The Link Between Birth Weight and Heart DiseaseRich-Edwards JW, Kleinman J, Michels KB, et al.: Longitudinal study of birth weight and adult body mass index in predicting risk of heart disease and stroke in women. British Medical Journal 330:1115, 2005 What is the problem and what is known about it so far?Some experts say that the likelihood of a person being overweight, getting diabetes, and disease of the heart and blood vessels begins before one is even born. Some studies of male babies have found that the lower a baby's weight when they're born, the higher their risk of disease of the heart and blood vessels. Why did the researchers do this particular study?They wanted to compare the link between birth weight and adult body mass index (BMI, a measure of weight compared to height), and whether they affect the chances of heart disease in women. They also wanted to see whether a low birth weight and high adult body mass index raised the chances of one having a stroke. Who was studied?The study included 66,111 female nurses who had been in a long-term study since 1976. The women were 30-55 years old at the start of the study. How was the study done?Participants were asked about their height and weight. Researchers calculated their body mass indexes based on that information. In 1992, the women were asked about their birth weight. Information about illness and deaths was collected from medical records, state agencies, participants, and their families. What did the researchers find?Babies that are heavier at birth have a slightly lower chance of getting heart disease and stroke as adults than babies who are smaller at birth. The difference is greatest in people who were very small at birth and grew up to have a very high body mass index. What were the limitations of the study?The study relied on information reported by participants, which may not be totally accurate. What are the implications of the study?The research findings add another piece to the puzzle of how our health is related to our weight. Whether a person's adult health is predetermined before birth, or during early infancy, remains to be studied. Also, environmental and inherited traits that may affect heart disease and stroke need further study. For more informationVisit www.diabetes.org/heart-disease-stroke.jsp |
Now Available! Late-breaking Diabetes research summaries Read the ADA's research magazine Forefront Wedding Diabetes Forecast - Free Issue! |
|
| Información en español | About Us | Donate Now | Join ADA | Volunteer | Message Boards | Sign up for Enewsletters |
