Research links low baby weight to heart disease

Press, 31 August 1989, Page 42

Research links low baby weight to heart disease

NZPA London Low weight during infancy is the most important factor in heart disease, according to a British researcher. Professor David Barker, director of the Medical Research Council unit at Southampton, said cigarette smoking, exercise and diet were important but secondary issues. The babies most at risk were from inner cities. Professor Barker’s findings are based on a fouryear research project to examine the birth records of more than 5600 men born around 1920. "Our studies have shown babies who weigh

the least at one year are three times more likely to die of heart disease,” he said. “This suggests that in order to bring about a decline in heart disease in future generations we must promote the growth of our babies. “Whilst cigarette smoking, diet and exercise are important, development in early childhood could be the major controlling factor in determining the risk of death from heart disease.

“We are talking about the setting of clocks or programming of the body which happens very early on.”

Professor Barker said his work suggested infants born in inner cities had a reduced life expectancy.

If the results were confirmed, the poor growth of children in some areas of Britain was of particular concern. But the British Heart Foundation has said that even if the results were confirmed, it did not follow that low weight in childhood was the cause of heart disease. Patterns of nutrition and development which led to low weight in babyhood could also lay down the foundations for heart disease in later life.