Birth Weight and Longevity: Where`s the Link?
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As mom of twins who were born premature and with low birth weights, I always keep my eyes and ears open for the latest developments in birth weight research. Low birth weight has always been associated with health problems such as heart diseases and diabetes in adulthood. But what about high birth weights?
A large-scale Scandinavian study shows that there is a relationship between an individual`s life span and his/her weight at birth. And it`s not only small babies who are at risk. Extra-large babies were shown to be in danger as well.
The study studied 216,464 individuals born between 1935 and 1980 and looked at their mortality risks in adulthood (ages 25 to 68 years). Their results show that:
- Babies who weighed between 2 and 2.75 kg (about 4.4 to 6 lbs) have 17% higher mortality risk as adults.
- Babies who weighed 4.25 to 5.5 kg (about 9.4 to 12 lbs) have 7% higher mortality risks as adults.
- It seems that the ideal birth weight that translates to the best longevity is between 3.25 and 3.750 kg (about 7.1 to 8.3 lbs).
The researchers also looked at the causes of death with the following findings:
- Those with very low as well as very high birth weights will have higher chances of developing cardiovascular diseases and having problems with their blood sugar.
- Those with low birth weights have the lowest risk of dying from cancer. Cancer risk seems to increase with increasing birth weight.
Of course, we musn`t forget that other factors such as nutrition, physical activity, lifestyle, and genetics also play a role in an individual`s longevity
The birth weight of our babies is partly determined by our eating habits during pregnancy. We, moms, can influence our children`s health well into adulthood and even how long they would live. Now, that`s a rather awesome but also scary thought!
Source:
Baker JL, Olsen LW, Sørensen TI. Weight at birth and all-cause mortality in adulthood. Epidemiology. 2008 Mar;19(2):197-203.
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