Babies who have low and high weights at birth both stand to be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease as adolescents, according to a new study. This is due to the development of dangerous fat in their abdomens, called visceral adiposity, which is a risk factor for the disease.
The normal weight a birth is 2,500 to 3,800 grams or about 5.5 pounds to about 8.4 pounds. Growth restriction, poor nutrition and smoking are some of the factors that bring about low birth weight, according to Science Daily.
Low and high birthweight babies at increased heart risk https://t.co/plTp6TJBDC #LowBirthWeight
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Low Birth Weight Babies Who Grow Up With Normal Weight Still At Risk
For these study, researchers looked into 575 adolescents, aged 14-18, who were divided into three groups by their respective birth weights. Most of them were in the later stages of puberty and most of the teenaged girls had started their periods. Obesity was observed in 16 percent of the teens while 11 percent were overweight.
The Hindustan Times reported that the babies born with low weight had a similar body build to those born with an average birth weight. However, they still had greater visceral adiposity and high insulin levels.
"The 5-pound baby, regardless of whether he grows up to be obese, normal weight or thin is going to have more visceral adiposity than a similar child with a normal birth weight," said corresponding author Dr. Brian Stansfield of Augusta University, Georgia. Meanwhile, babies with high birth weight may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease with proper diet and exercise.
High Birth Weight Children
The study also found that babies with high birth weight were almost twice as likely to be obese than babies born at an average birth weight, according to United Press International. This study was published in Journal of Pediatrics.
It was noted that this study reaffirms other studies which had said that birth weight has lifelong effects on birth weight. Stansfield said that it remains to be seen if there can be an intervention to change a child's potential.
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