2017 Volume 28 Issue 3 Pages 203-209
Aim: We investigated the relation of the physical conditions at birth and in infancy to the present status in the female university students, and examined the influence of feeding methods in infancy on current health condition.
Methods: We conducted anthropometric measurements for 52 female university students in the course for registered dietitian, and examined the relation of the physique at birth and during infancy to the current status. The conditions around birth and infancy were investigated using a "boshi-kenko-techo" (maternity health record book) .
Results: Birth weight was found to have no effect on the current physical condition. Although birth weight was significantly lower in the group with less maternal gestational weight gain, but did not have a significant effect on the current physical condition. Visceral fat area and skinfold thickness were significantly lower in the absolute breast milk feeding group compared to the groups with other feeding methods such as bottle feeding and mixed feeding, suggesting that breast milk feeding up to age 3 months may be important. With respect to birth order, skinfold thickness was significantly lower in the second-born students than in the first-born.
Conclusions: Physical condition at birth did not affect the current physical condition; however, the difference of nutritional methods in infancy may have influenced on it, particularly visceral and subcutaneous fat volume. Although longitudinal studies are ,necessary to elucidate the effect of nutrition during infancy on subsequent physique, it may be important to provide correct information on pregnancy, delivery, and child rearing.
