Birth Weight and Insulin Resistance

posted 08/19/02

Researchers in Bristol, England say a baby's birth weight is related to the mother's insulin resistance in late adulthood. The study also shows women with the lightest and heaviest offspring had the highest risk of developing diabetes.

More than 4,286 women ages between 60 and 79 years participated in the study. Researchers found, as birth weight increased every 2.2 lbs, women had a 15 risk of being among those with the highest insulin resistance.

Researchers add the association between the birth weight of individuals and their future risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease may be genetic. Therefore, the risk cannot be modified by interventions that influence intrauterine development.

Previous studies show low birth weight is associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Low birth weight is also related to parental cardiovascular disease. Researchers say poor intrauterine nutrition leads to babies with low birth weight and may program selective changes in body composition, hormones, and metabolism, which can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.

Source: Ivanhoe Newswire:  British Medical Journal, 2002;325:359-362.

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