LONDON

By Health Newswire reporters

Babies who are a healthy weight at birth grow up to be stronger adults than those who weigh less, according to UK research.

The study analysed the height and weight measurements of more than 2,700 men and women, who have been taking part in the National Survey of Health and Development since they were born in 1946.

The researchers, from Southampton University, the Medical Research Council Environmental Epidemiology Unit and University College London, found that those who weighed least at birth had the weakest grip strength at the age of 53, regardless of their adult size.

Dr Avan Aihie Sayer, senior lecturer in geriatric medicine at Southampton University, said, “Early influences on muscle development appear to have lifelong effects. Low birth-weight babies may have fewer muscle fibres established at birth. The effects of this are not entirely reversed in later life.”

Researchers found the effects of birth weight on grip strength did not vary by childhood or current body size and were not distorted by social class.

Muscle weakness in later life can have serious consequences including increased risk of falls, fractures and disabilities.

The authors conclude, “As the inevitable loss of muscle fibres proceeds in old age, a deficit in the number of fibres could threaten quality of life and independence.”

Source American Journal of Epidemiology

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