On 2015 Jul 15, thomas samaras commented:

A number of findings indicate that lower birth weight and smaller body size are strongly related to low CHD.

During the 20th C, Papua New Guinea was characterized by slow growth, low BMI and short height. Based on a 70-year tracking period no evidence of CHD or stroke was found among the natives. Many other indigenous populations show a similar relation between small size and the absence of CHD and stroke.

A study by M. Eriksson (50-80 year old men) found a progressive increase in risk of heart attacks with increasing birth weight. The lowest birth weight quartile had the lowest risk (15% vs 25% for highest birth weight).

Another study reported by Yajnik found that higher birth weight and better nourished urban Indians had 4 to 5 times the risk of CHD and diabetes as rural children that had lower birth weight and reduced nutrition. A WWII study of US twins found that lower birth weight identical twins had the highest life expectancy of 82 years. Higher birth weight fraternal twins had a life expectancy of 80.5 years. WWII singletons (highest birth weight) had a life expectancy of 78 years. The longer life expectancy indirectly points to lower CHD. Birth weight is strongly correlated with height, weight and BMI.

Increasing BMI cannot be a driver for lower CHD because virtually all CHD risk factors get worse with increasing BMI starting from a BMI of less than 21. For example, HDL, APO A and sex hormone binding globulin decrease with increasing BMI. Blood pressure, cholesterol, TG, APO B, LDL also increase. Left ventricular mass and pulse wave velocity also increase with BMI, both independent CVD risk factors.

On 2015 Jul 15, thomas samaras commented:

A number of findings indicate that lower birth weight and smaller body size are strongly related to low CHD.

During the 20th C, Papua New Guinea was characterized by slow growth, low BMI and short height. Based on a 70-year tracking period no evidence of CHD or stroke was found among the natives. Many other indigenous populations show a similar relation between small size and the absence of CHD and stroke.

A study by M. Eriksson (50-80 year old men) found a progressive increase in risk of heart attacks with increasing birth weight. The lowest birth weight quartile had the lowest risk (15% vs 25% for highest birth weight).

Another study reported by Yajnik found that higher birth weight and better nourished urban Indians had 4 to 5 times the risk of CHD and diabetes as rural children that had lower birth weight and reduced nutrition. A WWII study of US twins found that lower birth weight identical twins had the highest life expectancy of 82 years. Higher birth weight fraternal twins had a life expectancy of 80.5 years. WWII singletons (highest birth weight) had a life expectancy of 78 years. The longer life expectancy indirectly points to lower CHD. Birth weight is strongly correlated with height, weight and BMI.

Increasing BMI cannot be a driver for lower CHD because virtually all CHD risk factors get worse with increasing BMI starting from a BMI of less than 21. For example, HDL, APO A and sex hormone binding globulin decrease with increasing BMI. Blood pressure, cholesterol, TG, APO B, LDL also increase. Left ventricular mass and pulse wave velocity also increase with BMI, both independent CVD risk factors.