One study has confirmed that the first born child often has troubles with high blood pressure and insulin resistance when they grow up.
A research conducted at the Institute of Auckland’s Liggins showed that the probability of firstborn sisters to suffer from obesity later in life were 29 percent higher compared to their younger sisters.
In order to exclude other factors that might affect gaining weight, scientists have studied only sisters so they could determine the influence of the first-born child status to weight problems later in life.
This research is similar to other observational studies that have been conducted by scientists at the Institute Liggins on the link between birth order and weight in adults and children. The study confirmed that the oldest child often has problems with high blood pressure and insulin resistance.
The study leader Wayne Cutfield, professor at the Institute Liggins, told Yahoo Health that this phenomenon may be associated with a difference in the blood supply in the placenta during the first pregnancy compared to the following pregnancies. The blood vessels are tight during the first pregnancy, said Cutfield. “This reduces the nutrient supply and consequently it affects the fat and sugar regulation. Later in life, there is an increased risk of storing more fat and insulin secretion that is not needed. ”
However, if you are aware of the health risk, you should always try to make better decisions regarding your health, said Cutfield .You should also make more effort to consume balanced meals and to exercise regularly if you have a history of heart disease and diabetes in the family, especially first borns should try harder to preserve their health.
