Objective To investigate the association between famine exposure in different life cycles and the risk of central obesity. Methods A total of 2234 spermanent residents were recruited to participate in the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) Study ,they were grouped into four birth cohorts of fetal-exposed (born between January 1,1959, and December 31,1961,95 cases), childhood-exposed (born between January 11,949, and December 31,1958,533 cases), adolescence/adult-exposed (born between January 1,1931, and December 31,1948,256 cases),unexposed cohorts（born after January 1, 1975，871 cases).we used logistic regression model to assess the effect of famine exposure on central obesity in adulthood. Results After adjusting for confounding factors, females in the fetal/infant exposure group（OR=3.283,95%CI：1.472～7.321,P＜0.001）、childhood- exposed group (OR=3.557,95%CI：2.374～5.313,P＜0.001) and adolescence/adult-exposed group (OR=5.785，95%CI：3.536～9.492，P＜0.001) had a higher risk of adult central obesity than the control group.After excluding the subjects with coronary heart disease、cancer、diabetes、stroke or obesity, sensitivity analysis was carried out. The risk of central obesity increased in the female / fetal、childhood、adolescent / adult exposure group,which was unfound in males. Conclusion Severe famine exposure in fetal/infant、childhood and adolescence/adulthood can increase the risk of central obesity in adulthood in females. Therefore, the prevention and control of central obesity in female should start from the early life.