Rapid Weight Gain in Early Infancy Increases Risk for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

Infants with rapid weight gain had significantly greater body fat and waist circumference and reduced insulin sensitivity as adults, compared with infants with slow weight gain.

Low birth weight has been associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood (JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Jan 9 2008). Investigators in the Netherlands used longitudinal data from an observational study to examine the association between growth patterns (weight and length) during the first year of life and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in early adulthood.

The study involved 213 healthy white young adults (age range, 18–24) with first-year growth data. All were born at or after 36 weeks’ gestation; 84 were small (birth length <2 standard deviations below a mean of 47.6 cm) at birth (9 had short stature as adults), and 129 were normal size at birth (41 had short stature as adults). Weight gain during the first 3 month…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Rapid Weight Gain in Early Infancy Increases Risk for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

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Reviewing Author