ABSTRACT
Aims: To study effect of birth weight and mode of feeding during early infancy on clinical indicators of obesity and lipid profile in adulthood. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted on 260 adults aged 21-31 years censured in Yaoundé between February and March 2012. Methodology: The study was transversal and retrospective. Data such as birth weight, type of breastfeeding and duration of breastfeeding was collected. Participants also followed a food diary for a week. Anthropometric measurements and cardiovascular risk factors such as total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure were assessed. Results: There were no significant difference between LBW group and NBW. In HBW group weight, BMI and lean mass were significantly (p< .05) higher than in NBW group. Body fat was significantly (p < .05) high among NBW compare to HBW. These results were confirmed by binary regression for body fat .918 (.852-.988) and lean mass 1.100 (1.039-1.164). Relation between birth weight and body fat showed an inverse and significant (P<.05) correlation. Participants with low birth weight (LBW) had a concentration of total plasma cholesterol significantly higher than participants with normal birth weight (NBW) (p < .05) or High birth weight (HBW) (p < .05). Furthermore, a significant inverse correlation was noted between the total plasma cholesterol (P < .01), LDL cholesterol (P < .05) and the birth weight. The plasmatic total cholesterol (p < .05) and LDL cholesterol (p < .05) of participants who had mixed feeding was also higher compared to those who have been under exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. Conclusion: birth weight and mode of feeding during early infancy have effects on clinical indicators of obesity and lipid profile in adulthood.