1. Childhood Adversities and Adult Cardiometabolic Health
- Author
-
Friedman, Esther M, Montez, Jennifer Karas, Sheehan, Connor McDevitt, Guenewald, Tara L, and Seeman, Teresa E
- Subjects
Obesity ,Prevention ,Clinical Research ,Pediatric ,Patient Safety ,Cardiovascular ,2.3 Psychological ,social and economic factors ,Aetiology ,Metabolic and endocrine ,Generic health relevance ,Good Health and Well Being ,Adult ,Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events ,Aged ,Diabetes Mellitus ,Female ,Heart Diseases ,Humans ,Male ,Middle Aged ,Risk ,Time Factors ,United States ,life course ,childhood ,midlife ,gender ,obesity ,heart disease ,diabetes ,Public Health and Health Services ,Gerontology - Abstract
ObjectiveAdverse events in childhood can indelibly influence adult health. While evidence for this association has mounted, a fundamental set of questions about how to operationalize adverse events has been understudied.MethodWe used data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States to examine how quantity, timing, and types of adverse events in childhood are associated with adult cardiometabolic health.ResultsThe best-fitting specification of quantity of events was a linear measure reflecting a dose-response relationship. Timing of event mattered less than repeated exposure to events. Regarding the type of event, academic interruptions and sexual/physical abuse were most important. Adverse childhood events elevated the risk of diabetes and obesity similarly for men and women but had a greater impact on women's risk of heart disease.DiscussionFindings demonstrate the insights that can be gleaned about the early-life origins of adult health by examining operationalization of childhood exposures.
- Published
- 2015