HSS 4102 Study Guide - Final Guide: Thrifty Phenotype, Attributable Risk, Gestational Diabetes

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Health Sciences
• Course: HSS 4102
• Professor: Ron Saulnier

Document Summary

Abnormal size of a child at birth as the result of adverse exposures in the intrauterine environment is correlated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes in adulthood. Explored with relation to numerous health outcomes, including: Zhang et al (2013) reviewed the association between high birth weight and blood pressure and hypertension: during childhood: higher blood pressure and hypertension, as they age: decreased susceptibility to hypertension. Wojcik et al (2013) reviewed the association between low birth weight and depression later in life: weak/non-significant association only between low birth weight and depression or psychological distress later in life. Implications for the widespread use of birthweight as a public health intervention indicator. Thrift phenotype hypothesis (hales & barker, 1992, 2001) Originally put forward to help explain the origins of type 2 diabetes mellitus (and possibly syndrome x) While the concept is now commonly accepted as true, questions remain about the nature of the mechanisms.