Middle aged adults with low birth weight present with a higher chance of obesity and diabetes. Children that are born under six pounds were 1.27 times more likely to develop diabetes compared to babies born at a healthy weight over six pounds. Growth hormone (GH) therapy at a certain dose induced catch-up of lean body mass (LBM). However percentage body fat decreased in the GH-treated subjects. Bone mineral density SDS measured by DEXA increased significantly in the GH-treated group compared to the untreated subjects, though there is much debate over whether or not SGA (small for gestational age) is significantly adverse to children to warrant inducing catch-up. Babies that have a low birth weight are thought to have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later life. Low birth weight is linked with increase rates of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes and it is shown that children with the low birth weights have increased leptin levels after they catch up growth during childhood. Adiponectin levels are positively related with birth weight and BMI in babies with an increase of risk of type 2 diabetes. The leptin and adiponection mechanisms are still being studied when involving low birth weight. Around the world
There is much variation regarding birth weight within continents, countries, and cities. Even though over 20 million babies are born each year with low birth weight, it is hard to know the exact number as more than half of babies born in the world are not weighed at birth.
Influence on the first few years of life
Children born with an abnormally low birth weight can have significant problems within the first few years of life. They may have trouble gaining weight, obtaining adequate nutrition, and supporting a strong immune system. They also have higher risks for mortality, behavior problems, and mental deficiencies. Low birth weight babies are more likely to develop the following conditions after birth compared to normal birth weight babies:
Breathing problems (infant respiratory distress syndrome)
Bleeding in the brain (intraventricular hemorrhage)
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Retinopathy of prematurity
Jaundice
InfectionsThat said, the effects of low birth weight on a childs first few years of life are often intertwined with other maternal, environmental, and genetic factors and most effects of low birth weight are only slightly negatively significant on a childs life when these factors are controlled for. When these factors are controlled, the only significant effect low birth weight has on a childs development is physical growth in the early years and the likelihood of being underweight compared to normal birth weight babies. Influence on adult life
Studies have been conducted to investigate how a persons birth weight can influence aspects of their future life. This includes theorised links with obesity, diabetes and intelligence. Obesity and diabetes
A baby born small or large for gestational age (either of the two extremes) is thought to have an increased risk of obesity in later life, but it was also shown that this relationship is fully explained by maternal weight.