Differences in the anthropometry of Asian children and its role in metabolic health in later life: A narrative review

Background: The increasing incidence of childhood obesity in Asia could be a reflection of early life programming in which environmental/nutritional challenges during pregnancy and first two years of life (the so-called first 1000 days) influence later health.

Objective of narrative review: To assess differences/similarities of anthropometric measures in early life and their influences on metabolic health risk in later life among children in Asia.

Methods: Literature search for publication in English using selected key words from Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar published from 1994 to October 2014. Some comparisons with Caucasian setting were made when relevant.

Results: From 152 publications selected for this narrative review, differences in foetal growth and birth weight were deducted between Asian and Caucasian children. Infants in India and Hong Kong had increased fat mass at birth and early infancy as compared to those from other parts of the world. Pre- and during pregnancy conditions influenced birth weight; feeding practices and gender influenced post-natal growth and body composition development. High and low birth weights followed by rapid postnatal growth were linked to increased risks of obesity, insulin resistance and high blood pressure in later life.

Conclusion: Foetal and postnatal growth trajectories are different between countries within and outside Asia. Extremes in birth weight followed by rapid postnatal growth were linked to increased risks of metabolic health of children in this region. As there is limited evidence in Asia, it is important to conduct thorough investigations by using longitudinal studies on early life programming.