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. 2008 Oct;93(10):3804-9.
doi: 10.1210/jc.2008-0488. Epub 2008 Jul 15.

Consequences of being born small for gestational age on body composition: an 8-year follow-up study

Taly Meas  1 , Samia Deghmoun, Priscilla Armoogum, Corinne Alberti, Claire Levy-Marchal
Affiliations

Consequences of being born small for gestational age on body composition: an 8-year follow-up study

Taly Meas et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Oct.

Abstract

Context: Increased fat mass has been reported in children and adults born small for gestational age (SGA). However, the progression of anthropometric parameters have been poorly documented in SGA adults.

Objective: We hypothesized that SGA individuals would remain susceptible to gain more fat when adults beyond the period of postnatal catch-up growth.

Study population and design: From a community-based cohort, 389 subjects born full-term SGA (body weight < 10th percentile) were compared with 462 subjects born appropriate for gestational age (25th < body weight < 75th percentile). Anthropometric parameters were measured at 22 and 30 yr as well as body composition (by multifrequency bioelectrical impedancometry and skinfold thickness) at 30 yr.

Results: Both groups gained weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. Progression of BMI was significantly greater in SGA (1.8 +/- 2.6 vs. 1.4 +/- 2.6 kg/m(2); P = 0.03). At 30 yr, the proportion of obese individuals was significantly increased in SGA (12.1 vs. 6.5%; P = 0.02), and percent body fat was significantly higher (23.5 +/- 8.7 vs. 21.9 +/- 8.0%; P = 0.01), the observation of which was confirmed by skinfold measures. Similarly, waist circumference gain was significantly greater in SGA (6.4 +/- 7.6 vs. 5.5 +/- 7.9, P = 0.04 when adjusted for gender and age).

Conclusion: Over 8-yr follow-up, adults born SGA gained more BMI than appropriate for gestational age, resulting in greater fat mass with more abdominal fat. These data suggest that the consequences of fetal growth restriction on body composition are evolving beyond the period of early postnatal catch-up.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Interaction between birth groups (SGA, ▵; AGA, •) and increase in BMI over time on body fat. % BF, Percent of body fat measured at 30 yr of age by bioelectrical impedancometry; ΔBMI, difference between BMI at 30 and 22 yr of age (kilograms per square meter); dotted line, regression line in SGA; solid line, regression line in AGA. There was a significant interaction between the groups and ΔBMI on percent of body fat (P = 0.02).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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