Adverse birth outcomes including preterm birth (PTB: <37 weeks gestation) and low birth weight (LBW: <2500 g) result in severe infant morbidity and mortality [1,2]. Risk factors for PTB include increased maternal age, black race, infections, toxicant exposure (e.g., cigarette smoke and ill...
Obesity in the pre-adolescent stage (approximately 7 years of age) has been associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in midlife and overall mortality from cardiovascular diseases; this risk is significantly increased if BMI increases between the age of 7 and the onset of puberty [...