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Does the first pregnancy precipitate age-related fat deposition?

International Journal of Obesity volume 26, pages 1274–1276 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Excessive accumulation of fat in women of childbearing age is a concern, since obesity is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Deposition of fat during pregnancy, which is not metabolized during lactation, may contribute. However, the individual effects of age and gravidity on fat accumulation have not been disentangled. Based on multiple linear regression analysis of anthropometric data from 1113 pregnant women from Zimbabwe, we found evidence to suggest that fat deposition is an effect of age rather than gravidity that is precipitated by the first pregnancy.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the women and staff at Edith Oppermann Maternity Hospital for their participation and cooperation, and the Secretary for Health, Zimbabwe, for permission to publish. Supported by the Council for Development Research, Danish International Development Assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    H Friis, P Kæstel & K Fleischer Michaelsen

  2. Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory, Charlottenlund, Denmark

    H Friis

  3. Blair Research Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Harare, Zimbabwe

    E Gomo & P Ndhlovu

  4. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    N Nyazema

Authors
  1. H Friis
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  2. E Gomo
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  3. P Kæstel
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  4. N Nyazema
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  5. P Ndhlovu
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  6. K Fleischer Michaelsen
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Correspondence to H Friis.

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Friis, H., Gomo, E., Kæstel, P. et al. Does the first pregnancy precipitate age-related fat deposition?. Int J Obes 26, 1274–1276 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802074

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802074

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