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Early-life conditions and older adult health in low- and middle-income countries: a review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 July 2012

M. McEniry
M. McEniry*
Affiliation:
Institute for Social Research, ICPSR, Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr M. McEniry, Institute for Social Research, ICPSR, Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, 1106G Perry Building, 330 Packard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, United States of America. (Email mmceniry@umich.edu)
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Abstract

Population aging and subsequent projected large increases in chronic conditions will be important health concerns in low- and middle-income countries. Although evidence is accumulating, little is known regarding the impact of poor early-life conditions on older adult (50 years and older) health in these settings. A systematic review of 1141 empirical studies was conducted to identify population-based and community studies in low- and middle-income countries, which examined associations between early-life conditions and older adult health. The resulting review of 20 studies revealed strong associations between (1) in utero/early infancy exposures (independent of other early life and adult conditions) and adult heart disease and diabetes; (2) poor nutrition during childhood and difficulties in adult cognition and diabetes; (3) specific childhood illnesses such as rheumatic fever and malaria and adult heart disease and mortality; (4) poor childhood health and adult functionality/disability and chronic diseases; (5) poor childhood socioeconomic status (SES) and adult mortality, functionality/disability and cognition; and (6) parental survival during childhood and adult functionality/disability and cognition. In several instances, associations remained strong even after controlling for adult SES and lifestyle. Although exact mechanisms cannot be identified, these studies reinforce to some extent the importance of early-life environment on health at older ages. Given the paucity of cohort data from the developing world to examine hypotheses of early-life conditions and older adult health, population-based studies are relevant in providing a broad perspective on the origins of adult health.

Keywords

adult healthearly-life conditionslow- and middle-income countriespopulation aging
Type
Review
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , February 2013 , pp. 10 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2012 

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