Adult metabolic syndrome and impaired glucose tolerance are associated with different patterns of body mass index gain during infancy; Data from the New Delhi birth cohort

Abstract

Objective: To describe patterns of infant, childhood and adolescent body mass index (BMI) and weight associated with adult metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Research Design and Methods: We measured waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (NCEP-ATPIII definition) in 1,492 men and women aged 26-32 years in Delhi, India, whose weight and height were recorded 6-monthly throughout infancy (0-2 years), childhood (2-11 years) and adolescence (11 years-adult).

Results: Men and women with metabolic syndrome (29% overall), any of its component features, or higher (>upper quartile) insulin resistance (HOMA) had more rapid BMI or weight gain than the rest of the cohort throughout infancy, childhood and adolescence. Glucose intolerance (impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes) was, like metabolic syndrome, associated with rapid BMI gain in childhood and adolescence, but with lower BMI in infancy.

Conclusions: In this Indian population, patterns of infant BMI and weight gain differed for people who developed metabolic syndrome (rapid gain) compared with those who developed glucose intolerance (low infant BMI). Rapid BMI gain during childhood and adolescence was a risk factor for both disorders.