Birth weight is linearly related to obesity although short and premature babies are also at increased risk of obesity..
Source: Mardones F, Villarroel L, et al. Association of perinatal factors and obesity in 6- to 8-year-old Chilean children. International Journal of Epidemiology, 2008, 37: 902-910.

“In general, chronic disease such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as some cancers, appear to have been uncommon, even in older people, until recent history.”

Source:  Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective. World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute of Cancer Research, Washington, DC: AICR, 2007, p. 352.

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