[High birth weight as a risk factor for childhood obesity].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between high birth weight (HBW) and childhood obesity (CO).


METHODS
A case-control study in 322 children of 1st and 2nd grade elementary school was carried out. Somatometric determinations were effected to document childhood obesity (cases) as established by The Norma Oficial Mexicana, and normal or low weight. The risk factor of HBW (high birth weight more than 3900 g) was assessed. Odds ratio (OR) was determined and variables between cases and controls were assessed by chi 2 and t tests.


RESULTS
There were not clinically significative differences between cases (n = 59) and controls (n = 263) concerning sex, age, height, and weight at birth. There were differences as to present weight (35.5 +/- 8 vs 25.2 +/- 5 kg. p < 0.001), Quetelet index (22.1 +/- 4 vs 16.2 +/- 2 kg/m2, p < 0.001) and measurements of cutaneous folding between cases and controls, respectively. History of HBW was present in 20 cases (33%) and 44 controls (17%). History of HBW was associated to CO [OR: 2.55; (Confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.4-4.8); p = 0.003]. No history of HBW was protective against CO [OR: 0.79; (CI 95% 0.7-0.9); p = 0.003].


CONCLUSIONS
HBW is risk factor to CO.
Tene
Carlos Enrique
CE
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiología Clínica del Hospital General de Zona y Medicina Familiar # 1 del IMSS Colima, Calle Luis G Urbina 624, Colonia Lomas de Vista Hermosa, Código Postal 28040, Colima Colima. carlostene1@hotmail.com
Espinoza-Mejía
Martha Yaneth
MY
Silva-Rosales
Norma Angélica
NA
Girón-Carrillo
Jorge Luis
JL
D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic