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Does body mass index reflect percentage body fat and body fat distribution in low and high birth weight subjects?

Does body mass index reflect percentage body fat and body fat distribution in low and high birth weight subjects?
Does body mass index reflect percentage body fat and body fat distribution in low and high birth weight subjects?
Background: Birth weight has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality in later life, but the mechanisms are poorly defined. It is not clear if adults with low and high birth weights have different percent body fat and pattern of fat distribution, which are associated with health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to assess if the percentage body fat and its distribution within the body differ between adults with a low and high birth weight, after adjusting for BMI. Methods: A total of 29 men aged 65-72 y old were recruited randomly from a Hertfordshire cohort with known birth weight and divided into two groups: a low birth weight group (<6.5 lbs); and a high birth weight group (>9 lbs). Body composition was assessed using DEXA Hologic Delphin and the results were processed using software v12.2, and expressed as mean +/-standard error. Results: Compared to the high birth weight group the low birth weight subjects were shorter (1.72 +/- 0.02 v 1.78 +/- 0.02m; P=0.05) and lighter (79.44 +/- 2.17 v 88.80 +/- 3.42 kg; P = 0.02). The low birth weight group also had a greater % body fat (28.71 +/- 1.03 v 25.53 +/- 1.85%; NS) despite a lower BMI (26.76 +/- 0.50 v 28.00 +/- 1.17 kg/m2; NS). When adjusted to the same BMI (27.31 kg/m2) using ANCOVA, there was about 5% more body fat (29.32 +/- 1.03 v 24.77+/-1.15 %; P=0.006) and more centrally located fat (ratio of non limb/ limb fat, 1.53 +/- 0.05 v 1.34 +/- 0.06; P=0.03). Conclusion: At the same BMI, older adults with a low birth weight had relatively more body fat and more centrally distributed fat than those with a high birth weight. This suggests that BMI should not be indiscriminately used to assess adiposity in low and high birth weight adults. The results could also help explain the higher risk of cardiovascular disease associated with poor fetal growth.
0964-7058
S99-S99
Kensara, O.A.
22c1f197-0677-4092-98ef-a256872cdc1b
Wootton, S.A.
bf47ef35-0b33-4edb-a2b0-ceda5c475c0c
Phillips, D.I.W.
29b73be7-2ff9-4fff-ae42-d59842df4cc6
Patel, M.
58c916f7-55b5-410e-82ed-a82d8c639c81
Elia, M.
964bf436-e623-46d6-bc3f-5dd04c9ef4c1
Kensara, O.A.
22c1f197-0677-4092-98ef-a256872cdc1b
Wootton, S.A.
bf47ef35-0b33-4edb-a2b0-ceda5c475c0c
Phillips, D.I.W.
29b73be7-2ff9-4fff-ae42-d59842df4cc6
Patel, M.
58c916f7-55b5-410e-82ed-a82d8c639c81
Elia, M.
964bf436-e623-46d6-bc3f-5dd04c9ef4c1

Kensara, O.A., Wootton, S.A., Phillips, D.I.W., Patel, M. and Elia, M. (2004) Does body mass index reflect percentage body fat and body fat distribution in low and high birth weight subjects? Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 13 (Suppl), S99-S99.

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background: Birth weight has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality in later life, but the mechanisms are poorly defined. It is not clear if adults with low and high birth weights have different percent body fat and pattern of fat distribution, which are associated with health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to assess if the percentage body fat and its distribution within the body differ between adults with a low and high birth weight, after adjusting for BMI. Methods: A total of 29 men aged 65-72 y old were recruited randomly from a Hertfordshire cohort with known birth weight and divided into two groups: a low birth weight group (<6.5 lbs); and a high birth weight group (>9 lbs). Body composition was assessed using DEXA Hologic Delphin and the results were processed using software v12.2, and expressed as mean +/-standard error. Results: Compared to the high birth weight group the low birth weight subjects were shorter (1.72 +/- 0.02 v 1.78 +/- 0.02m; P=0.05) and lighter (79.44 +/- 2.17 v 88.80 +/- 3.42 kg; P = 0.02). The low birth weight group also had a greater % body fat (28.71 +/- 1.03 v 25.53 +/- 1.85%; NS) despite a lower BMI (26.76 +/- 0.50 v 28.00 +/- 1.17 kg/m2; NS). When adjusted to the same BMI (27.31 kg/m2) using ANCOVA, there was about 5% more body fat (29.32 +/- 1.03 v 24.77+/-1.15 %; P=0.006) and more centrally located fat (ratio of non limb/ limb fat, 1.53 +/- 0.05 v 1.34 +/- 0.06; P=0.03). Conclusion: At the same BMI, older adults with a low birth weight had relatively more body fat and more centrally distributed fat than those with a high birth weight. This suggests that BMI should not be indiscriminately used to assess adiposity in low and high birth weight adults. The results could also help explain the higher risk of cardiovascular disease associated with poor fetal growth.

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Published date: 2004

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 25711
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/25711
ISSN: 0964-7058
PURE UUID: fe0d0dec-84b0-4421-9453-c0420a9c5856

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Date deposited: 20 Apr 2006
Last modified: 22 Jul 2022 20:32

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Contributors

Author: O.A. Kensara
Author: S.A. Wootton
Author: D.I.W. Phillips
Author: M. Patel
Author: M. Elia

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