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Gender and sexually diverse populations remain understudied and under-represented in research. This is attributable not only to significant and ongoing data collection limitations, where large population-based studies fail to ask adequate questions around gender and sexuality, but also due to continuously evolving terminology in this space. This glossary takes a preliminary step in rectifying these issues by defining and clarifying the application and understanding of key terms related to gender, gender identity, expression and sexuality. In doing so, this glossary provides a point of reference for understanding key differences in gender and sexually diverse terminology to (1) help guide researchers and practitioners in the use and understanding of terms and (2) facilitate the utility of more respectful, inclusive and consistent language application across the public health arena.

ObjectivesMaternal adversity during pregnancy has been shown to be associated with some health outcomes in the offspring. This study investigated the association of maternal adversity during pregnancy and DNA methylation with offspring cardiovascular (CV) health.DesignLongitudinal observational cohort studySettingAll pregnant residents in county Avon (∼0.9 million), UK, were eligible to participate if their estimated delivery date was between 1 April 1991 and 31 December 1992.ParticipantsMother–offspring pairs enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort at seven (n=7431) and 17 years of age (n=3143).Primary and secondary outcome measuresOffspring CV health primary measures were heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and secondary measures were pulse-wave velocity and carotid intima–media thickness.ResultsOverall, there was no association between maternal adversity scores (number or perceived impact) and primary CV measures (Perceived impact; HR: 0.999-fold change 95% CI 0.998 to 1.001; systolic BP (SBP): 1.000-fold change 95% CI 0.999 to 1.001; diastolic BP: 1.000-fold change 95% CI 0.999 to 1.002). Some small offspring sex effects were observed and there was also a small association between methylation of some CpG sites and offspring BP measures.ConclusionsWe found little evidence to support the overall association of maternal adversity during pregnancy and DNA methylation with offspring CV measures. Offspring sex-specific and age-specific associations require further investigation.