An emerging area of research is the potential role of intrauterine growth and growth in the first year of life for predicting the emergence of increased cardiovascular risk and obesity during adulthood. These potential links were critically commented on by Dietz and Gortmaker (4). In reviewing the Dutch Famine Studies, they noted that individuals who were exposed in utero to famine in the first trimester of pregnancy were more likely to be overweight at 18 years of age compared with those exposed to famine at other periods during pregnancy. In contrast, individuals exposed to famine late in pregnancy tended to be underweight at 18 years of age. Although low birth weight and low weight gain in the first year of life may contribute to increased risk of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular risk in the adult population, Dietz and Gortmaker conclude that it is unlikely that low birth weight contributes significantly to obesity prevalence in the adult population. In addition, although an individual who is born overweight ($4000 g) does have a higher risk of being an overweight adult, these authors suggest that ,5% of adult obesity is attributable to individuals born with high birth weights.