First-borns carry a higher metabolic risk in early adulthood: Evidence from a prospective cohort study

Mario Siervo, Bernardo L. Horta, Blossom C M Stephan, Cesar G. Victora, Jonathan C K Wells

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Birth order has been associated with early growth variability and subsequent increased adiposity, but the consequent effects of increased fat mass on metabolic risk during adulthood have not been assessed. We aimed to quantify the metabolic risk in young adulthood of being first-born relative to those born second or subsequently. Methodology and Principal Findings:Body composition and metabolic risk were assessed in 2,249 men, aged 17-19 years, from a birth cohort in southern Brazil. Metabolic risk was assessed using a composite z-score integrating standardized measurements of blood pressure, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, triglycerides and fat mass. First-borns had lower birth weight z-score (δ= 20.25, 95%CI 20.35, 20.15,p

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere13907
JournalPLoS One
Volume5
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Medicine(all)

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