Associations of birth size and duration of breast feeding with cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood: findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).
OBJECTIVE
To explore the developmental origins of cardiorespiratory fitness.


METHODS
We examined the associations of birth size and duration of breast feeding with cardiorespiratory fitness assessed at the 9 year follow-up examination in 3612 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We used physical work capacity at a heart rate of 170 beats per minute (PWC(170)) as our assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness. This was estimated using standard regression methods from parameters measured using an electronically braked cycle ergometer.


RESULTS
Birth weight, length and ponderal index were all positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in both sexes, with no strong evidence of a difference in effect between girls and boys. Work capacity increased by 1.12 W (95% CI: 0.83, 1.40) on average per 1 standard deviation (SD) greater birth weight. This association was not affected by adjustment for socioeconomic position and maternal smoking during pregnancy; there was some attenuation with adjustment for both maternal and paternal height and body mass index and more marked attenuation with adjustment for the child's height and body mass index. In the fully adjusted model work capacity increased by 0.51 W (95% CI: 0.21, 0.81) per SD birth weight. Whether an individual had been breastfed and duration of breastfeeding were not associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in any models.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide some support for a role of intrauterine factors in determining cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood.
Lawlor
Debbie A
DA
Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol, BS8 2PR, UK. d.a.lawlor@bristol.ac.uk
Cooper
Ashley R
AR
Bain
Chris
C
Davey Smith
George
G
Irwin
Amanda
A
Riddoch
Chris
C
Ness
Andy
A
D001724:Birth Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011247:Pregnancy; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena