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Background: Epidemiologic studies suggest a link between fetal and childhood growth and later coronary artery disease (CAD). The influence of adult body size on the relation between birth size and CAD has not been thoroughly studied. Objective: We investigated the association between birth and adult sizes and CAD within a population with higher birth weight and a lower incidence of and mortality rate from CAD than those seen in other Scandinavian populations. Design: Fatal or nonfatal CAD was ascertained in 2399 men and 2376 women born in the Greater Reykjavik area between 1914 add 1935. Birth size was obtained from the National Archives. Anthropometric measurements in adults were obtained from the randomized prospective Reykjavik Study. Results: CAD was inversely related to birth length (P for trend = 0.029) in men but was not significantly related to birth weight or ponderal index (kg/[m.sup.3]). In men who were born short ([less than or equal to] 50.5 cm) and who became tall adults (either 175-180.5 or > 180.5 cm), the odds ratios (95% CI) for CAD were 1.9 (1.1, 3.1) and 2.2 (1.2, 4.0), respectively, when compared with men in the reference group (those born 52.5-54.0 cm long). A U-shaped relation between birth size and CAD was found for women. Conclusions: Size at birth has an effect on CAD, but the effect is modified by adult body size. This confirms that environmental factors operate in both the prenatal and postnatal periods with regard to the development of CAD. The large birth size seen among Icelanders may explain the lower incidence and mortality rate of CAD in Iceland than are seen in other white populations. KEY WORDS Birth weight, infants, coronary artery disease, nutrition, adults, fetal growth retardation, Iceland

Background: The results of epidemiologic studies have linked birth size to adult glucose intolerance. Objective: We investigated this association in a genetically homogeneous population with higher birth weights and a lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes than previously studied. Design: The subjects were 2362 men and 2286 women aged 33-65 y. Size at birth was obtained from the National Archives of Iceland. Data for adult anthropometry, fasting blood glucose, and blood glucose after an oral glucose load came from the randomized prospective Reykjavik Study. Results: Postchallenge glucose concentrations were inversely related to birth weight and length in men and inversely related to birth weight and ponderal index in women (P < 0.001). This association was mainly found among those within the highest one-third of adult body mass index values. In men, the prevalence of dysglycemia was lower with increasing weight (P = 0.04) and length (P = 0.003) at birth but there was no relation of dysglycemia to ponderal index. For women, there was no linear trend for dysglycemia in relation to size at birth but the relation with birth length was U shaped. Conclusions: Greater birth weight and length appear to offer a protective effect against glucose intolerance. Adult overweight or obesity enhances the risk associated with low birth weight and length. Because the population studied has higher birth weights and a lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes than are found in neighboring countries, it is possible that decreasing the number of low-birth weight infants might help to stem the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes worldwide. KEY WORDS Newborns, adults, birth weight, body height, blood glucose, type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, dysglycemia, Reykjavik Study

A population-based study is conducted to explain the relationship between the varying aerobic fitness, fatness and insulin in the nine year old healthy children. Fatness is shown to be associated more with fasting insulin, as compared to fitness.