Data from seven screenings of the Bogalusa Heart Study—a longitudinal study of cardiovascular risk factors in Bogalusa, LA—are analyzed using generalized estimation equations method. Participants with birth data and at least one measurement of study outcomes between 18 and 44 years (n = 2,034) were included.
BW is inversely associated with insulin resistance, triglycerides, and total cholesterol (P < .01 for all). For 1-kg decrease in BW, insulin resistance increased by 2.3 units, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.7–3.9; triglycerides by 8.7 mg per dL, 95% CI = 4.9–12.4, and total cholesterol by 5.4 mg per dL, 95% CI = 1.8–9.1. The association of body mass with adult blood lipids levels is weaker in persons with low versus normal BW.
The study provides strong evidence of an inverse relationship of BW with adulthood cardiometabolic risk profile. Persons born with low BW are maybe less responsive to preventive interventions aiming at weight reduction.