Do early-life conditions predict functional health status in adulthood? The case of Mexico

Authors

Cheng Huang, Rollins School of Public Health
Beth J. Soldo, University of Pennsylvania
Irma T. Elo, University of Pennsylvania

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Journal

Social Science and Medicine

Volume

72

Issue

1

DOI

10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.09.040

Keywords

BMI; Early-life conditions; Functional limitations; Health behavior; Life course; Mexico

Abstract

Relatively few researchers have investigated early antecedents of adult functional limitations in developing countries. In this study, we assessed associations between childhood conditions and adult lower-body functional limitations (LBFL) as well as the potential mediating role of adult socioeconomic status, smoking, body mass index, and chronic diseases or symptoms. Based on data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) of individuals born prior to 1951 and contacted in 2001 and 2003, we found that childhood nutritional deprivation, serious health problems, and family background predict adult LBFL in Mexico. Adjustment for the potential mediators in adulthood attenuates these associations only to a modest degree. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

APA Citation

Huang, C., Soldo, B., & Elo, I. (2011). Do early-life conditions predict functional health status in adulthood? The case of Mexico. Social Science and Medicine, 72 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.09.040