This study investigates the association between reduced fetal and infant growth and impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin dependent diabetes in adult life. The researchers followed 468 men born in Hertfordshire, England, from 1920 to 1930, measuring their birth weights and weights at one year. They found that men with lower birth weights and weights at one year had a higher prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. The proportion of men with these conditions decreased as birth weight and weight at one year increased. Additionally, higher blood pressure was inversely related to birth weight and strongly associated with plasma glucose and 32-33 split proinsulin concentrations. The study concludes that reduced early growth is strongly linked to impaired glucose tolerance and non-insulin dependent diabetes, and may also be associated with β cell dysfunction and hypertension.This study investigates the association between reduced fetal and infant growth and impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin dependent diabetes in adult life. The researchers followed 468 men born in Hertfordshire, England, from 1920 to 1930, measuring their birth weights and weights at one year. They found that men with lower birth weights and weights at one year had a higher prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. The proportion of men with these conditions decreased as birth weight and weight at one year increased. Additionally, higher blood pressure was inversely related to birth weight and strongly associated with plasma glucose and 32-33 split proinsulin concentrations. The study concludes that reduced early growth is strongly linked to impaired glucose tolerance and non-insulin dependent diabetes, and may also be associated with β cell dysfunction and hypertension.