Reduced Body Size and Shape-Related Symptoms in Young Adults Born Preterm with Very Low Birth Weight: Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults

Objective To test the hypothesis that being born prematurely with very low birth weight (VLBW) (birth weight ≤1500 g) is associated with subphenotypes of eating disorders (dissatisfaction with body shape and pursuit of thinness) in young adulthood. Study design Preterm-born VLBW subjects (n = 163) and controls (n= 189) born at term completed 3 subscales of Eating Disorder Inventory-2 questionnaire (EDI): Drive for Thinness, Body Dissatisfaction, and Bulimia. Data were analyzed with multiple linear regression adjusted for confounders. Results Among both sexes, EDI total scores were lower in VLBW subjects than in controls. The fully adjusted difference was −11.0% (95% CI, −18.4%, −2.2%) for women and −11.2% (95% CI, −20.2%, −1.3%) for men. Among women the lower scores in VLBW adults were observed in each EDI subscale. Results were similar when adjusted also for fat percentage, measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Of the covariates, higher body mass index and higher score in Beck Depression Inventory contributed significantly to a higher EDI total score. Conclusions Young adults, particularly women, born prematurely with VLBW have fewer body size and shape-related symptoms and possibly lower risk for eating disorders than their term-born peers.