Birth Weight Predicts Anthropometric and Body Composition Assessment Results in Adults: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: A poor intrauterine environment is associated with increased risks of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and/or diabetes. This study evaluated relationships between birth weight and body habitus in a representative sample of the general population. METHODS: Adult participants were asked to complete a birth weight questionnaire. Associations between various current anthropometric and body composition measurements and birth weight were investigated. RESULTS: Of 7,157 respondents, 4,502 reported their birth weight, which ranged from 0.4 to 7.0 kg with a mean and standard deviation of 3.37±0.7 kg; of these, 384 had low birth weights (LBWs; <2.5 kg). In females, lower birth weights were associated with lower height, weight, lean body mass (LBM), total body water (TBW), fat mass (FM), fat%, and fat-free mass (FFM) than those of higher older birth weights (quintiles); however, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were similar across quintiles. In males, LBW was similarly associated with lower height, weight, LBM, TBW, FM, fat%, and FFM, and also with lower WC and HC. The obesity markers such as WC, WHR, and body mass index (BMI) were 47%, 61%, and 45% greater, respectively, in LBW females compared to normal birth weight females, while these associations showed non-significant trend in males with LBW. CONCLUSION: In adult male and female respondents, LBW was associated with lower body habitus: central obesity and body fatness (BMI, FM, fat%, FFM, FM/FFM, and FM/FFM(2)) were more pronounced in females than males, even after taking into account current physical activity and socioeconomic status. These findings indicate LBW may contribute to high blood pressure, dysglycemia and metabolic-abnormalities in adults.