Yubo Zhou

Title: Assistant Professor

E-mail: zhouyubo@bjmu.edu.cn

Address: 38 Xueyuan Rd , Haidian District, Beijing, China

Personal profile

08/2021-to present Assistant Professor (tenure-track): Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, P.R. China

08/2016-07/2021 Lecturer: Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, P.R. China

09/2011-07/2016 PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, P.R. China

09/2006-07/2011 BE, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China

        I have been engaged in teaching and research activities focused on perinatal nutritional epidemiology and big data in maternal and child health. I have led multiple national, ministerial, and international collaborative projects, including those commissioned by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Health Commission, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Children's Fund. I have published nearly 60 research papers, with over 40 as the first author or corresponding author, in prestigious journals such as JAMA sub-journals, Lancet sub-journals, Am J Public Health, Eur J Nutr, and the Chinese Medical Journal. I have also contributed as a co-author to papers in authoritative medical journals like JAMA and Lancet. I offer an elective undergraduate course titled "Dietary Nutrition and Mental Health: Practical Teaching," and participate in teaching courses on "Randomized Controlled Trial" and "Epidemiology Practicum." I serve as a member of the Youth Committee of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association's Fertility Protection Branch, and concurrently as the responsible editor of the Chinese Journal of Reproductive Health.

Main research directions

Big Data in Reproductive Health; Prenatal Nutrition, Perinatal Factors, and Maternal and Child Health

Representative scientific research projects

(1) Thyseed, Peking University Medicine-Thyseed Maternal and Child Product Development Joint Laboratory, 2024-2026, in progress. Role: Co-PI

(2) Fuyang Women and Children's Hospital, Peking University Medicine-Fuyang Maternal and Child Clinical Transformation Research Joint Laboratory, 2024-2028, in progress. Role: Co-PI

(3) National Health Commission, Analysis and Research on Inpatient Delivery Data and Birth Population Changes, 2023-2024, in progress. Role: PI

(4) National Health Commission, Dynamic Analysis and Research on Maternal and Child Safety, 2023-2024, in progress. Role: PI

(5) Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, Investigation and Evaluation of Female Fertility with the Three Child Policy, 2023-2024, in progress. Role: PI

(6) Peking University Clinical+X, Impact and Mechanism of Folic Acid Supplementation Mode of Women with Advanced Maternal Age on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, 2023, in progress. Role: Co-PI

(7) Peking University Health Science Center, Human resources program, 2021-2024, in progress. Role: PI

(8) International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria National Nutrition Survey Project, 2021-2023, completed. Role: Co-PI

(9) Nestlé, Post-Market Effectiveness Study of a Partially Hydrolyzed Formula with Low Lactose, Horizontal cooperation project, 2019-2023, completed. Role: Co-PI

(10) National Natural Science Foundation of China--Youth Science Fund, Effect of pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain on childhood anemia in women with advanced maternal age, 2019-2021, completed. Role: PI

10 representative papers

(1) Yin S#, Zhou Y#, Zhao C#, Yang J, Yuan P, Zhao Y, Qi H*, Wei Y*. Association of Paternal Age Alone and Combined with Maternal Age with Perinatal Outcomes: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study in China. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2024. Doi: 10.1007/s44197-023-00175-4.

(2) Zhou Y#, Yin S#, Sheng Q#, Yang J, Liu J, Li H, Yuan P, Zhao Y*. Association of maternal age with adverse pregnancy outcomes: A prospective multicenter cohort study in China. J Glob Health. 2023;13:04161.

(3) Yin S#, Zhou Y#, Yuan P#, Wei Y, Chen L, Guo X, Li H, Lu J, Ge L, Shi H, Wang X, Li L, Qiao J, Chen D, Liu J*, Zhao Y*. Hospital variations in caesarean delivery rates: An analysis of national data in China, 2016-2020. J Glob Health. 2023;13:04029.

(4) Yin S#, Chen L#, Zhou Y#, Yuan P, Guo X, Lu J, Ge L, Shi H, Wang X, Li L, Qiao J, Zhao Y, Qi H, Ma X, Wei Y. Evaluation of Cesarean Rates for Term, Singleton, Live Vertex Deliveries in China in 2020 Among Women with No Prior Cesarean Delivery. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(3):e234521.

(5) Meng Y#, Zhou Y#, Li H, Chen Y, Dominik G, Dong J, Tang Y, Saavedra JM, Liu J*. Effectiveness of Growing-Up Milk Containing Only A2 β-Casein on Digestive Comfort in Toddlers: A Randomized Controlled Trial in China. Nutrients. 2023;15(6):1313.

(6) Yubo Zhou, Keyi Si, Hongtian Li, Xiucui Li, Sherry A Tanumihardjo , Jianmeng Liu*. Geographic and socio-demographic determinants of plasma retinol concentrations in Chinese pregnant and lactating women. Eur J Nutr. 2022 Apr;61(3):1561-1570.

(7) Yubo Zhou, Lailai Yan, Hongtian Li, Xiucui Li, Yaqiong Liu, Jianmeng Liu*. Patterns and Determinants of Essential and Toxic Elements in Chinese Women at Mid-Pregnancy, Late Pregnancy, and Lactation. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):668.

(8) Yu-Bo Zhou, Jian-Meng Liu*. Optimal gestational weight gain. Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2021;13:100207.

(9) Liao ZJ, Zhou YB*, Li HT, Wang C, Chen DJ, Liu JM*. The Rates and Medical Necessity of Cesarean Delivery in the Era of the Two-Child Policy in Hubei and Gansu Provinces, China. Am J Public Health. 2019;109(3):476-482. Q1; IF2017= 4.380

(10) Zhou YB, Li HT, Ye RW, Li ZW, Zhang YL, Zhang L, Ren AG, Liu JM*. Geatational weight gain, cesarean delivery, and cesarean delivary on maternal request: a cohot analysis of Chinese nulliparous women. Ann Epidemiol. 2017; 27(2):96-102.

Main research progress

        In recent years, our team has conducted a series of scientific research projects focusing on four main aspects: maternal nutrition and its impact on offspring health, perinatal factors such as fertility age and cesarean delivery and their relationship with offspring health, the intersection of public health and clinical medicine, and the construction of an internationalized nutrient detection platform. A brief introduction is provided as follows:

1. Maternal Nutritional Status and Its Impact on Offspring Health

        Nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is an important factor in the early environmental exposure of offspring, which can affect their long-term health. Our team has systematically evaluated the levels of various important nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin A, DHA, and EPA in the blood or breast milk of pregnant and postpartum women in typical regions of China (Nutrients. 2023; Br J Nutr. 2021, 2022; Eur J Nutr. 2022). These research results are of significant value for systematically assessing the nutrient levels of pregnant and postpartum women in China and can provide reference data for the government to formulate targeted intervention measures.

        Body mass index (BMI) during early pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy are the most direct and easily accessible comprehensive indicators reflecting the nutritional status of pregnant women. Our team has studied the weight gain patterns or reasonable weight gain ranges of special pregnant groups such as older pregnant women or pregnant women with gestational diabetes using large-scale cohort data (Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; Eur J Clin Nutr. 2023). We further explored the relationship between obesity during pregnancy and maternal and child health, finding that obesity in early pregnancy or excessive weight gain during pregnancy can increase the risk of a series of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirths, fetal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as well as increase the risk of anemia, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases in offspring (Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2015; Ann Epidemiol. 2017; Obesity. 2019; Nutr Rev. 2024). Based on our team's series of research findings on weight gain during pregnancy, we were invited by the editor of a Lancet sub-journal to write a review on the optimal weight gain for pregnant women in China (Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2021). These research results suggest that reasonable pre-pregnancy/pregnancy weight is important for improving pregnancy outcomes and even the long-term health of offspring, providing a reference basis for relevant health departments and clinical decision-making.

2. Reproductive Age, Cesarean Delivery, and Their Impact on Offspring Health

        Reproductive age, including the age of the mother and father, is an important indicator reflecting fertility in a population and can significantly impact pregnancy outcomes and offspring health. Our team has systematically described the temporal trends and geographical distribution of maternal and paternal age in China using national-level data. In the context of declining fertility rates and a year-on-year decrease in birth populations, these research data provide a reference basis for formulating policies related to clinical services for maternal and perinatal health. Our team has also conducted research on the association between maternal and paternal age and pregnancy outcomes, revealing a nonlinear relationship between maternal and paternal age and pregnancy outcomes. We have identified two significant age thresholds for mothers at 35 and 40 years old (J Glob Health. 2023; J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2024). The research results have been cited in expert consensus and provide input for optimizing guideline development.

        The cesarean delivery rate in China has been a global concern, and controlling it is a key national guidance direction. Changes in the cesarean delivery rate at the hospital level are of significant importance for the formulation and optimization of national and local health policies. However, there has been little research on the differences in cesarean delivery rates between hospitals in China. Our team, collaborating closely with Peking University Third Hospital, has discovered that the average cesarean delivery rate in China is 43%, and there are significant differences in cesarean delivery rates between hospitals of different levels and between different hospitals of the same level. These differences are mainly attributed to hospital factors (such as the province where the hospital is located) rather than individual factors of pregnant women (J Glob Health. 2023; JAMA Netw Open. 2023). Our team has also described the impact of fertility policies on birth methods (Am J Public Health. 2019).Furthermore, our team has studied the relationship between cesarean delivery and offspring health. The research found a weak association between cesarean delivery and offspring anemia, metabolic syndrome (Br J Nutr. 2020; Nutr Metab, 2020; Eur J Clin Nutr. 2021; Pediatr Res. 2024). Using meta-analysis to compare the results of general cohort studies and sibling-pair studies, our team found that cesarean delivery indeed increases the risk of adverse health outcomes for offspring, while sibling-pair studies are prone to false-negative results due to insufficient adjustment for the key variable of the mother's age at delivery (BMC Med. 2023).This series of studies suggests that cesarean delivery can harm the long-term health of offspring. Given the high cesarean delivery rate in China, it is advisable to explore early intervention measures for infants delivered by cesarean section to improve their long-term health status.

3. Cross-integration of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, the Deep Integration of Industry, University and Research

        Leveraging the " Peking University Medicine-Fuyang Maternal and Child Clinical Transformation Research Joint Laboratory" and the "Peking University Medicine-Thyseed Maternal and Child Product Development Joint Laboratory", our team actively conducts applied basic research and translational research originating from and applied to clinical settings, contributing high-level evidence-based evidence to improve clinical practice. We also develop high-quality maternal and infant products supported by scientific evidence to promote maternal and infant health and foster the deep integration of industry, university, and research. Our team has conducted research collaborations with the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Peking University First Hospital, jointly launching two clinical medicine+X projects. Additionally, we have collaborated with companies to conduct population intervention trials on the effects of special formula milk powder (such as low-lactose, partially hydrolyzed, etc.) on infant gastrointestinal function (Nutrients. 2021/2023).

4. International Nutrient Detection Platform Construction

        Our team has been actively building an international nutrient detection platform, focusing on conducting nutritional analysis and evaluation specifically for women and children. This platform combines population research with laboratory testing to to conduct research on various maternal and child nutrition issues. The platform is capable of testing a wide range of nutrients, including blood folate, multiple folate subtypes, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and more. Testing results have successfully passed the global external quality assurance program organized by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our platform have been included in the World Health Organization's list of micronutrient laboratories, demonstrating its internationally recognized testing capabilities. Our platform has provided technical support for numerous international cooperation projects funded by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the US CDC.

Future work

    In the future, our team will continue to conduct in-depth research focusing on prenatal nutrition and other factors related to maternal and child health, nutritional analysis and evaluation for women and children, as well as big data research on reproductive health. The key work directions are as follows:

(1) Research on nutritional and health assessments for women and children

(2) Research on the integration of public health and clinical medicine, as well as the deep integration of industry, university, and research

(3) Research on perinatal factors and their relationship with offspring health