ABSTRACT
Size at birth and early postnatal weight gain are closely related to neonatal and childhood survival, and there have been many studies suggesting that these may also predict much longer term risks of diseases in adult life, such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Risks in adults for diabetes and cardiovascular disease are particularly high among populations where, until relatively recently, nutrition was poor but rates of obesity are increasing. Epidemiological studies indicate that size at birth and early weight gain predicts the long-term risks for obesity and abnormal fat distribution. The large extent of early postnatal catch-up and catch-down growth suggests that wide variations in gains of adiposity may also occur during late pregnancy. In a study from Pune, Indian children with relatively lower birth weights had increased fasting insulin levels at age 8 years, and similar findings have been reported in other populations.
