Odnos porođajne težine i nekih aspekata reproduktivnog ponašanja

Abstract

According to the Life history theory, there is a compromise between investments into the different components of reproductive success. Based on this, individuals may suspend investment in growth and development and start to reproduce earlier. This usually occurs in conditions of reduced probability of survival in which individuals could reach sexual maturity early. These conditions could be related to early life experiences, which are assumed to be significant determinants of the reproductive strategies development. Based on this, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between birth weight, as an indicator of postnatal status, and some aspects of reproductive behavior. 53 women took part in this study, with an average age of 19.5 years. Besides giving general personal information, they filled out the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory. For the purpose of this study, two groups of women were formed that did not differ in age. The first group was composed of women that did not have sexual intercourse (n = 21), while the second group included women who have had sexual intercourse (n = 32). By comparing these two groups, it was found that women with sexual experience were born with a lower birth weight and they showed a greater tendency toward a short‑term reproductive strategy. Analyzing the whole sample, no significant correlations were found between the birth weight, age at menarche, and tendencies to short‑term reproductive strategy. Among women who had sexual intercourse, no correlation was found between birth weight and the age when they had the first sexual intercourse. However, a negative relationship between the age of menarche and a tendency toward a short‑term strategy was found.