Intrafamilial associations of cardiometabolic risk factors - Results of the Ulm Birth Cohort Study

•n = 304 trios of a birth cohort were investigated at the 8-year follow-up.•BMI and WC were higher correlated in father-offspring than in mother-offspring pairs.•Offspring's insulin levels were solely related to maternal and not to paternal ones.•Insulin-dependent cardiometabolic risk factors were higher correlated in mother-offspring than in father-offspring pairs.

BackgroundThe identification of genetic, early childhood and lifestyle factors related to cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood is important for the development of preventive strategies against cardiovascular diseases. Intrafamilial associations of cardiometabolic risk factors are rarely studied and the few existing results are inconsistent.AimsTo study the relationship of cardiometabolic risk factors in parent-offspring pairs (trios) of the prospective Ulm Birth Cohort Study (UBCS).MethodsAt the 8-yr follow-up examination of the UBCS weights, heights, waist circumferences (WC), systolic (sysBP) and diastolic blood pressure (diasBP) of n = 304 8 yrs old children and their parents were measured. Fasting plasma samples were collected and concentrations of insulin, glucose, retinol-binding-protein 4 (RBP4), adiponectin, leptin, apolipoprotein A and B (ApoA, ApoB) were analyzed.ResultsBMI values and WC were stronger related in father-offspring than in mother-offspring pairs. Adjustment for potential confounders did not change these results. Fasting plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, RBP4, ApoB, sysBP and diastBP were stronger correlated in mother-offspring than in father-offspring pairs also after adjusting for potential confounders. Offsprings of fathers that have ≥3 cardiometabolic risk factors had 0.74 kg/m2 higher BMI values and 2.34 cm higher WC compared to offsprings of the reference group (both parents having <3 cardiometabolic risk factors). There was a trend for higher fasting plasma insulin concentrations in offsprings where the mother had ≥3 cardiometabolic risk factors compared to offsprings of the reference group.ConclusionThese results might be explained by gender-specific genetic factors as well as by early life programming.