New study reveals link between birth weight and cardiometabolic risks in children

Researchers have found that birth weight is linked to the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases later in life.

This latest research suggests this connection appears to be significantly influenced by whether the individual experienced obesity during childhood, emphasising the importance of early weight management.

The study, part of the cross-sectional HOLBAEK Study, analysed data from 4,263 participants, with a median age of 11.7 years, comprising 57.1 per cent girls and 42.9 per cent boys. Notably, nearly half of the participants were recruited from an obesity clinic, while the rest were from a population-based group, providing a comprehensive look at various childhood conditions.

Researchers investigated the relationship between birth weight and cardiometabolic risks, which include conditions like insulin resistance and high blood pressure and how childhood obesity might alter these associations.

Key findings highlighted birth weight was linked to cardiometabolic risk and plasma protein levels in children and adolescents. However, childhood obesity significantly modified these associations. For instance, in children with obesity, lower birth weight was more strongly associated with measures of insulin resistance, such as HOMA-IR and c-peptide levels. Blood pressure readings also showed more pronounced negative associations in obese children.

The research suggests that children born with lower birth weight who later develop obesity are at a higher risk of adverse metabolic conditions. This highlights the critical need for effective prevention and treatment strategies to mitigate future cardiometabolic risks.