Ethnic differences in effects of maternal pre-pregnancy and pregnancy adiposity on offspring size and adiposity

Lin, X., Aris, I.M., Tint, M.T., Soh, S.E., Godfrey, K.M., Yeo, G.S., Kwek, K., Chan, J.K., Gluckman, P.D., Chong, Y.S., Yap, F., Holbrook, J.D. and Lee, Y.S. (2015) Ethnic differences in effects of maternal pre-pregnancy and pregnancy adiposity on offspring size and adiposity. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 100 (10), 3641-3650. (doi:10.1210/jc.2015-1728). (PMID:26200236)

Abstract

CONTEXT: Maternal adiposity and overnutrition, both before and during pregnancy, plays a key role in the subsequent development of obesity and metabolic outcomes in offspring.

OBJECTIVE:We explored the hypothesis that maternal adiposity (pre-pregnancy and at 26-28 weeks' gestation) and mid-pregnancy gestational weight gain (GWG) are independently associated with offspring size and adiposity in early childhood, and determined whether these effects are ethnicity dependent.

DESIGN:In a prospective mother-offspring cohort study (N = 976, 56% Chinese, 26% Malay, and 18% Indian), we assessed the associations of offspring size (weight, length) and adiposity (subscapular and triceps skinfolds), measured at birth and age 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo, with maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI), mid-pregnancy GWG, and mid-pregnancy four-site skinfold thicknesses (triceps, biceps, subscapular, suprailiac).

RESULTS: ppBMI and mid-pregnancy GWG were independently associated with postnatal weight up to 2 y and skinfold thickness at birth. Weight and subscapular and triceps skinfolds at birth increased by 2.56% (95% confidence interval, 1.68-3.45%), 3.85% (2.16-5.57%), and 2.14% (0.54-3.75%), respectively for every SD increase in ppBMI. Similarly, a one-SD increase in GWG increased weight and subscapular and triceps skinfolds at birth by 2.44% (1.66-3.23%), 3.28% (1.75-4.84%), and 3.23% (1.65-4.84%), respectively. ppBMI and mid-pregnancy suprailiac skinfold independently predicted postnatal skinfold adiposity up to 2 years of age, whereas only GWG predicted postnatal length. The associations of GWG with postnatal weight and length were present only among Chinese and Indians, but not Malays (P < .05 for interaction).

CONCLUSIONS: ppBMI and GWG are independent modifiable factors for child size and adiposity up to 2 years of age. The associations are ethnic-dependent, and underscore the importance of ethnic specific studies before generalizing the applicability of risk factors reported in other populations

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Contributors

Author: K.M. Godfrey

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