Low-Income
Childhood Linked to Later Diabetes and Heart Disease Risks
Growing
up in a low-income family may increase the odds of insulin resistance
and other heart disease risk factors occurring later in life, findings
from a UK study suggest.
In the study, adults who
spent their childhood in relatively "poor social
circumstances" were at increased risk for insulin resistance,
dyslipidemia, and obesity, all well-known risk factors for
cardiovascular disease.
The findings are
published in the October 12th issue of the British Medical Journal.
Exactly how family
income early in life could have such a long-term impact on health
remains unclear, but "a number of factors are likely to be
important," said Dr.
Debbie A. Lawlor, the study's lead author.
Higher rates of
childhood obesity among lower-income families could play a role, but
diet in general may also be an important factor, according to the
researcher.
"For children in
poorer social circumstances," Dr. Lawlor said, "the quality
of their diet may mean that the growth and development of some of
their organs is adversely affected. This could then affect the
metabolism and action of insulin throughout life."
In the study, Dr. Lawlor
and colleagues, from the University of Bristol, found evidence that
for children in lower-income families, these risks may start to take
shape early on.
Among 4286 older women
from across the UK, those who grew up in lower-income families were at
increased risk for insulin resistance, obesity, and low HDL
cholesterol levels--even if they had "moved up" to a higher
social status.
"Traditionally,"
Dr. Lawlor said, "the approach to preventing cardiovascular
disease has been to focus on adult life risk factors."
But, she added, growing
evidence suggests that heart disease risk can begin to form much
earlier, even during fetal development. Low birth weight, for example,
has been tied to increased risks of heart disease, hypertension and
diabetes, among other conditions.
"We have to think
about preventive measures aimed at ensuring the health and well-being
of pregnant mothers and...of children," Dr. Lawlor emphasized,
"not just reducing risk factors in adulthood."
BMJ 2002;325:805-807.
