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Background: This study determined the relationship between physical activity (PA), circulating lipids throughout pregnancy and infant anthropometric outcomes at birth and 2 weeks of age. Methods: Women (N = 234) with normal weight (NW, BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) and with overweight and class I obesity (OW/OB, BMI 25–35 kg/m2) were categorized into high and low PA based on average cohort steps during pregnancy (8099 steps/day). Circulating fasting lipids were measured at each trimester. Standardized methods were used to obtain anthropometrics measures. Infant body composition was estimated by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (EchoMRI-AH small; ECHO Medical Systems). Results: Women with NW who had higher activity had lower circulating triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels at 12 weeks compared to women with NW and low activity (p < 0.05). Women with OW/OB and high activity level throughout pregnancy had lower circulating TG, and low density lipoprotein (LDL), at 12 weeks, lower LDL at 24 weeks, and lower TG at 36 weeks compared to the women with OW/OB who had low activity levels (p < 0.05). For children born to women with OW/OB, maternal circulating TG and LDL were most associated with infant anthropometrics at 2 weeks of age. Conclusion: This study supports that higher PA during pregnancy is associated with lower lipid levels throughout pregnancy with a greater effect size in women with OW/OB. Maternal lipids were associated with anthropometrics and infant body composition at two weeks of life in women with OW/OB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The immediate benefits of breastfeeding are well-established but the long-term health benefits are less well-known. West Virginia (WV) has a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and lower breastfeeding rates compared to national averages. There is a paucity of research examining the relationship between breastfeeding and subsequent childhood CVD risk factors, an issue of particular relevance in WV. Methods This study used longitudinally linked data from three cross-sectional datasets in WV (N = 11,980). The information on breastfeeding was obtained retrospectively via parental recall when the child was in the fifth grade. The outcome variables included blood pressure measures [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP)] and lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), non-HDL, and triglycerides (TG)]. Multiple regression analyses were performed, adjusting for childhood body mass index (BMI) and additional covariates. Results Only 43% of mothers self-reported ever breastfeeding. The unadjusted analysis showed that children who were ever vs. never breastfed had significantly lower SBP (b = − 1.39 mmHg; 95% CI − 1.97, − 0.81), DBP (b = − 0.79 mmHg; 95% CI − 1.26, − 0.33), log-TG (b = − 0.08; 95% CI − 0.1, − 0.05), and higher HDL (b = 0.95 mg/dL; 95% CI 0.33, 1.56). After adjustment for the child's BMI, socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, log-TG remained significantly associated with breastfeeding (b = − 0.04; 95% CI − 0.06, − 0.01; p = 0.01). Conclusion The observed protective effect of any breastfeeding on childhood TG level was small but significant. This finding provides some support for a protective effect of breastfeeding on later CVD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]