A systematic review indicates an association between birth weight and body fat in childhood

Abstract

Aim: To summarise the existing evidence regarding the body fat of small or large for gestation subjects, evaluated from birth up to 18 years of age.

Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were adopted for the current systematic review, including studies having evaluated body fat with bioelectrical impedance analysis, air displacement plethysmography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: A total of 31 studies was included. The balance of evidence suggests that small for gestation infants have decreased fat mass at birth; postnatally they experience increased adiposity. In the long term, however, the evidence is inconclusive, since some studies suggest that foetal-restricted children with increased catch-up growth are at increased risk of fat accumulation, whereas other studies suggest a neutral or even negative association. Large for gestation infants have increased fat mass at birth, but in the long term, they have a lower body fat ratio, especially when they develop a catch-down growth.

Conclusion: Some studies suggested that foetal-restricted children with increased catch-up growth are at increased risk of later adiposity, while other studies suggested a neutral or negative association. Given that the evidence is inconclusive, further studies are warranted. Large for gestation subjects have lower body fat when they develop catch-down growth.

Keywords: deviant birth weight; large for gestation; small for gestation.