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Is climate at the time of birth related to obesity 9–10 years later?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2009

Allan Hackett ,
Lynne Boddy ,
Tim Stott  and
Gareth Stratton
Allan Hackett
Affiliation:
Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
Lynne Boddy
Affiliation:
Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
Tim Stott
Affiliation:
Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
Gareth Stratton
Affiliation:
Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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Abstract

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Abstract
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 67 , Issue OCE8: Summer Meeting 30 June–3 July 2008 , May 2008 , E349
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2009

Climate affects health and fluctuations in body weight and fasting blood glucose concentrations occur with the seasons(Reference Zaharska-Markiewicz1, Reference Suarez and Barret-Connor2) (weight tends to fall in the summer and rise in winter). Several studies have suggested that climate at the time of birth is associated with obesity as an adolescent and adult. A study of 9103 patients has found more overweight subjects born in March and September compared with those born in October and November(Reference Hillman and Conway3). It has been concluded that obesity is related to higher birth weight and early cold exposure; assessed as temperature at the time of birth(Reference Phillips and Young4). A study of 585 adolescents has found greater risk of overweight in female African Americans born in warmer weather(Reference Hanswijck, Stettler, Kumanyika and Stoa5).

Data were analysed from 9–10-year-old children in Liverpool taking part in the SportsLinx project between September 2003 and June 2006. Birth date was recorded, weight and height measured and BMI calculated. Mean daily air temperatures for 37 months from December 1993 to December 1996 were obtained from the weather station at Crosby, Merseyside. Data were analysed on a month-by-month basis and by season (winter comprising December, January and February) giving a total of thirty-seven consecutive months and twelve consecutive seasons. Associations were assessed as differences in mean BMI and prevalence of BMI categories using correlations, ANOVA and contingency tables.

Data were available for 5106 boys and 5063 girls. The mean BMI of the boys was 18.0 kg/m2 and of the girls 18.5 kg/m2. The prevalence of obesity (%) is shown in the Table according to month of birth.

There was no association between category of BMI and month of birth for boys or girls (P>0.05) but ANOVA of mean BMI by month suggested some variation (P<0.001) while Scheffe post hoc test did not identify any homogenous subset of months (P>0.05). Mean BMI declined from January to August and then rose to higher values from September to December. These data give evidence of a weak relationship between climate at birth and BMI at the age of 9–10 years (BMI slightly higher in those born in Autumn and lower in Spring and Summer birth cohorts), but is likely to be of little practical relevance.

References

1. Zaharska-Markiewicz, B (1980) Int J Obes (Lond) 4, 139–147.Google Scholar
2. Suarez, L & Barret-Connor, E (1982) Diabetologia 22, 250–253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Hillman, RW & Conway, HC (1972) Am J Clinl Nutr 25, 279–281.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Phillips, DIW & Young, JB (2000) Int J Obes (Lond) 24, 281–287.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Hanswijck, de Jonge L, Stettler, N, Kumanyika, S & Stoa, Birketvedt G (2002) Int J Obes (Lond) 26, 765–769.CrossRefGoogle Scholar