Birth weight and body fat distribution in adolescent girls

177Citations
Citations of this article
70Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Objective - To examine the association between birth weight and body fat distribution in a group of adolescent girls. Design - A total of 216 white girls who were born in Southampton had their heights, weights, waist and hip circumferences, and skinfold thicknesses measured when they were aged between 14 and 16 years. Results - The girls who were smallest at birth, but who were fattest at time of measurement were the most centrally obese. In girls whose body mass index was above the median (21 kg/m2), the subscapular to triceps skinfold ratio rase by 9% for every kilogram decrease in birth weight. Among overweight girls, with a body maSs index over 25, the ratio rose by 27% for every kilogram decrease in birth weight. Conclusion - In adolescent girls, the tendency to store fat on the trunk rather than the limbs, seems to be programmed by growth in fetal life, and is most evident in those who are overweight.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Barker, M., Robinson, S., Osmond, C., & Barker, D. J. P. (1997). Birth weight and body fat distribution in adolescent girls. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 77(5), 381–383. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.77.5.381

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free