Introduction: Birth parameters are used to evaluate infant's maturity and to indicate children with a potential risk of growing disorders and metabolic complications in later life. Low birth weight can be connected with higher fat content, especially in the abdominal part in adult individuals. Low birth weight is recognized as one of the criteria of metabolic syndrome in non-obese individuals.
Aim of the study: The percentage of academic youth aged 19-25 years born with low birth weight was evaluated.
Material and methods: 146 students (52% women and 48% men) of Warsaw higher schools took part in the study. Data of birth parameters and gestational age (GA, weeks) were gained from the medical documentation retrospectively. Infant's mass ≤2999 g was recognized as decreased birth weight (LBW group). Body height and body mass, waist and hip circumferences were measured. WHR was calculated as well. Bioimpedance method was used to evaluate the body composition, height and weight were standardized using data for 18-year-old women and men from Warsaw population.
Results: Decreased birth weight has been identified in 18% studied population - LBW group: 65% women and 35% men. It has been shown that students with low birth weight were characterized by a significantly lower body height (-0.22±1.14 v. 0.38±1.02 SDS) and body mass (-0.11±1.15 vs. 0.70±1.15 SDS) in comparison with individuals born with normal birth parameters. Body fat content in students of studied groups was similar. It has been noted that WHR index was significantly lower (p=0.0009) in men of LBW group than in those of NBW group.
Conclusions: 1. Decreased birth weight appears more frequently among girls. It's suggested that MONW are more common in females. 2. The relationship between birth parameters and height and weight in adults was confirmed. 3. In young men distribution of body fat is associated with birth weight.