U.S. Babies Are Getting Smaller

[n2doc]

By LiveScience Staff
posted: 21 January 2010 05:02 pm ET


Babies born in the United States are getting smaller, according to a new study. The findings suggest that birth weights in this country have declined during the past 15 years, most dramatically among the least likely group of mothers.

The researchers estimate that birth weights for full-term babies have decreased by an average of 1.83 ounces (52 grams) between 1990 and 2005.

And weights were down even further in infants born to a subset of women considered to be at low risk for small babies: Mothers who were white, well-educated, married, non-smokers, and who received early prenatal care and delivered vaginally with no complications, had babies who weighed an average of 2.78 ounces (79 grams) less at birth during the study period.

The researchers don't know the reason behind the decrease in birth weights, and their study showed the rise in cesarean sections and inductions of labor aren't to blame.

http://www.livescience.com/health/smaller-us-babies-birth-weight-100121.html

[HuckleB]

1. Hmm.

I'd search the stress factor first, though I have no viable evidence base for that starting point, other than the apparent increase in fear that has been put upon parents the past 20 years. Safety, safety, safety is tossed at parents from all angles during the pregnancy. And "good" prenatal care can include "concerning findings" that lead to more testing of the fetus, but often find that everything is just fine. Still, the parents are stressed out in the meantime. Well, I could and should go on to "defend" my meager supposition, but I'm sick and tired...

[sam kane]

2. Women have not eaten since 1995.

Who is running these trials? Don't they ever go to the supermarket? Every headline about babies in any magazine is about how to "LOSE THE BABY WEIGHT!" The only important thing, these corporations tell women, is to get back to size 6 immediately.

[eridani]

3. +100 n/t

[HuckleB]

4. It's always good to read the article on the study before responding.

From the article:

"The analysis included factors such as the mothers' age, race or ethnicity, education level, marital status and tobacco use, as well as the amount of weight gained during pregnancy and how early in pregnancy they received prenatal care. They also considered the women's risk of conditions like hypertension and use of obstetric procedures, such as induction of labor and cesarean delivery."