scholarly journals Early life factors for myopia in the British Twins Early Development Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (8) ◽  
pp. 1078-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie M Williams ◽  
Eva Kraphol ◽  
Ekaterina Yonova-Doing ◽  
Pirro G Hysi ◽  
Robert Plomin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Fertility Treatment ◽  
Development Study ◽  
Early Life Factors ◽  
Variance Explained

PurposeMyopia is an increasingly prevalent condition globally. A greater understanding of contemporaneous, early life factors associated with myopia risk is urgently required, particularly in younger onset myopia as this correlates with higher severity and increased complications in adult life.MethodsAnalysis of a subset of the longitudinal, UK-based Twins Early Development Study (n=1991) recruited at birth between 1994 and 1996. Subjective refraction was obtained from the twin’s optometrists; mean age 16.3 years (SD 1.7). Myopia was defined as mean spherical equivalent ≤−0.75 dioptres. A life course epidemiology approach was used to appropriately weight candidate myopia risk factors during critical periods of eye growth. Adjusted ORs for myopia were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models at each life stage, together with variance explained (r2) and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) statistic of predictive models.ResultsFactors significantly associated with myopia included level of maternal education (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.59), fertility treatment (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.92), summer birth (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.90) and hours spent playing computer games (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06). The total variance explained by this model was 4.4 % (p<0.001) and the AUROC was 0.68 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.72). Consistent associations were observed with socioeconomic status, educational attainment, reading enjoyment and cognitive variables, particularly verbal cognition, at multiple points over the life course.ConclusionsThis study identifies known and novel associations with myopia during childhood development; associated factors identified in early life reflect sociological and lifestyle trends such as rates of maternal education, fertility treatment, early schooling and computer games.

What role for the ‘long arm of childhood’ in social gradients in health? An international comparison of high-income contexts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven A. Haas ◽  
Zhangjun Zhou ◽  
Katsuya Oi
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Functional Limitation ◽  
Later Life ◽  
High Income ◽  
Childhood Health ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Early Life Factors

Social gradients in health have been a focus of research for decades. Two important lines of social gradient research have examined (1) international variation in their magnitude and (2) their life course / developmental antecedents. The present study brings these two strands together to explore the developmental origins of educational gradients in health. We leverage data spanning 14 high-income contexts from the Health and Retirement Study and its sisters in Europe. We find that early-life health and socio-economic status consistently attenuate educational gradients in multimorbidity and functional limitation. However, the relative contribution of early-life factors to gradients varies substantially across contexts. The results suggest that research on social gradients, and population health broadly, would benefit from the unique insights available from a conceptual and empirical approach that integrates comparative and life course perspectives.<br /><br />Key messages<br /><ul><li>The magnitude of educational gradients in later life health depend, in part, on childhood health and socioeconomic circumstances.</li><br /><li>The role of early life factors in educational gradients in health varies substantially across high income contexts.</li></ul>

scholarly journals The effect of maternal and child early life factors on grade repetition among HIV exposed and unexposed children in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Mitchell ◽  
T. J. Rochat ◽  
B. Houle ◽  
A. Stein ◽  
M. L. Newell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
School Readiness ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Grade Repetition ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Early Life Factors ◽  
Repeating A Grade ◽  
Hiv Exposed ◽  
Grade One

Receiving an education is essential for children living in poverty to fulfil their potential. Success in the early years of schooling is important as children who repeat grade one are particularly at risk for future dropout. We examined early life factors associated with grade repetition through logistic regression and explored reasons for repeating a grade through parent report. In 2012–2014 we re-enrolled children aged 7–11 years in rural KwaZulu-Natal who had been part of an early life intervention. Of the 894 children included, 43.1% had repeated a grade, of which 62.9% were boys. Higher maternal education (aOR 0.44; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) and being further along in the birth order (aOR 0.46; 95% CI 0.3–0.9) reduced the odds of grade repetition. In addition, maternal HIV status had the strongest effect on grade repetition for girls (aOR 2.17; 95% CI 1.3–3.8), whereas for boys, it was a fridge in the household (aOR 0.59; 95% CI 0.4–1.0). Issues with school readiness was the most common reason for repeating a grade according to parental report (126/385, 32.7%), while school disruptions was an important reason among HIV-exposed boys. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathways through which HIV affects girls’ educational outcomes and potentially impacts on disrupted schooling for boys. Our results also highlight the importance of preparation for schooling in the early years of life; future research could focus on gaining a better understanding of mechanisms by which to improve early school success, including increased quality of reception year and investigating the protective effect of older siblings.

scholarly journals Early life course processes leading to educational and economic attainment in young adulthood: Contributions of early socioeconomic adversity and education polygenic score

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0256967
Author(s):  
Kandauda A. S. Wickrama ◽  
Catherine Walker OˋNeal ◽  
Tae Kyoung Lee ◽  
Seonhwa Lee
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Economic Outcomes ◽  
European Ancestry ◽  
Polygenic Score ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

The present study investigated an integrated life course model, drawn from the life course theoretical perspective, to elucidate youth’s additive, cascading, and cumulative life course processes stemming from early socioeconomic adversity and education polygenic score (education PGS) as well as potential interactions between them (GxE), which contribute to subsequent young adult socioeconomic outcomes. Additionally, the independent, varying associations among social and genetic predictors, life-stage specific educational outcomes (educational achievement in adolescence and educational attainment, in later stages), and young adult economic outcomes were examined. The study used prospective, longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health (Add Health) with a sample of 5,728 youth of European ancestry. Early family socioeconomic adversity and individual education PGS were associated with life stage-specific educational outcomes through additive and cascading processes linked to young adults’ economic outcomes (personal earnings) through a cumulative process. A GxE moderation existed between individuals’ education PGS and early socioeconomic adversity at multiple life stages, explaining variation in adolescent educational outcomes. Both early socioeconomic adversity and education PGS were persistently associated with youth’s educational and economic outcomes throughout the early life course. In sum, the findings based on the integrated life course model showed how additive, cascading, and cumulative processes were related and conditioned one another, generating specific life course patterns and outcomes. The findings highlight the value of incorporating molecular genetic information into longitudinal developmental life course research and provide insight into malleable characteristics and appropriate timing for interventions addressing youth developmental characteristics.

scholarly journals Association of anthropomorphic measures across the life-course with refractive error and ocular biometry at age 15 years.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Bruce ◽  
Neema Mojarrad ◽  
Gillian Santorelli
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Maternal Weight ◽  
Variable Model ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Background: A recent Genome-wide association meta-analysis (GWAS) of refractive error reported shared genetics with anthropometric traits such as height, BMI and obesity. To explore a potential relationship with refractive error and ocular structure we performed a life-course analysis including both maternal and child characteristics using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort.Methods: Measures collected across the life-course were analysed to explore the association of height, weight, and BMI with refractive error and ocular biometric measures at age 15 years from 1613children. The outcome measures were the mean spherical equivalent (MSE) of refractive error (dioptres), axial length (AXL; mm), and radius of corneal curvature (RCC; mm). Potential confounding variables; maternal age at conception, maternal education level, parental socio-economic status, gestational age, breast-feeding, and gender were adjusted for within each multi-variable model.Results: Maternal height was positively associated with teenage AXL (0.010 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.017) and RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.007), increased maternal weight was positively associated with AXL (0.004 mm; 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.008). Birth length was associated with an increase in teenage AXL (0.067 mm; 95% CI: 0.032, 0.10) and flatter RCC (0.023 mm; 95% CI: 0.013, 0.034) and increasing birth weight was associated with flatter RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.0003, 0.009). An increase in teenage height was associated with a lower MSE (-0.007 D; 95% CI: -0.013, -0.001), an increase in AXL (0.021 mm; 95% CI: 0.015, 0.028) and flatter RCC (0.008 mm; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.010). Weight at 15 years was associated with an increase in AXL (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.009).Conclusions: At each life stage (pre-natal, birth, and teenage) height and weight, but not BMI, demonstrate an association with AXL and RCC measured at age 15 years. However, the negative association between refractive error and an increase in height was only present at the teenage life stage. Further research into the growth pattern of ocular structures and the development of refractive error over the life-course is required, particularly at the time of puberty.

scholarly journals Effects of early life stage exposure of largemouth bass to atrazine or a model estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol)

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9614
Author(s):  
Jessica K. Leet ◽  
Catherine A. Richter ◽  
Robert S. Cornman ◽  
Jason P. Berninger ◽  
Ramji K. Bhandari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Early Life Stage ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Gonad Tissue ◽  
And Function

Endocrine disrupting contaminants are of continuing concern for potentially contributing to reproductive dysfunction in largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW) and elsewhere. Exposures to atrazine (ATR) have been hypothesized to have estrogenic effects on vertebrate endocrine systems. The incidence of intersex in male smallmouth bass from some regions of CBW has been correlated with ATR concentrations in water. Fish early life stages may be particularly vulnerable to ATR exposure in agricultural areas, as a spring influx of pesticides coincides with spawning and early development. Our objectives were to investigate the effects of early life stage exposure to ATR or the model estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on sexual differentiation and gene expression in gonad tissue. We exposed newly hatched largemouth bass (LMB, Micropterus salmoides) from 7 to 80 days post-spawn to nominal concentrations of 1, 10, or 100 µg ATR/L or 1 or 10 ng EE2/L and monitored histological development and transcriptomic changes in gonad tissue. We observed a nearly 100% female sex ratio in LMB exposed to EE2 at 10 ng/L, presumably due to sex reversal of males. Many gonad genes were differentially expressed between sexes. Multidimensional scaling revealed clustering by gene expression of the 1 ng EE2/L and 100 µg ATR/L-treated male fish. Some pathways responsive to EE2 exposure were not sex-specific. We observed differential expression in male gonad in LMB exposed to EE2 at 1 ng/L of several genes involved in reproductive development and function, including star, cyp11a2, ddx4 (previously vasa), wnt5b, cyp1a and samhd1. Expression of star, cyp11a2 and cyp1a in males was also responsive to ATR exposure. Overall, our results confirm that early development is a sensitive window for estrogenic endocrine disruption in LMB and are consistent with the hypothesis that ATR exposure induces some estrogenic responses in the developing gonad. However, ATR-specific and EE2-specific responses were also observed.

Adherence to a healthy eating index from pre-school to school age and its associations with sociodemographic and early life factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-230
Author(s):  
Marta Pinto da Costa ◽  
Catarina Durão ◽  
Carla Lopes ◽  
Sofia Vilela
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
School Age ◽  
Early Life Factors

AbstractChildhood is considered an important period for the development of healthy eating behaviours. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of early life factors and sociodemographic characteristics, including early diet quality, on diet quality at 7 years. The sample includes 5013 children evaluated at the ages of 4 and 7 years from the Portuguese birth cohort Generation XXI with complete information on FFQ. A healthy eating index was developed at both ages to assess adherence to the WHO’s dietary recommendations, including eight food groups. Consumption quartiles were obtained for each group at 4 years and assigned a score between 1 and 4. A higher score represents a higher adherence to a better diet (range: 8 to 32). The associations between early life factors and sociodemographic characteristics and the score of the healthy eating index at 7 years were evaluated through linear regression models. The healthy eating index had an average score of 21⋅4 ± 3⋅53 (range: 12 to 32) at 4 years and 20⋅3 ± 3⋅36 (range: 11 to 31) at 7 years. After adjustment for confounders, a positive association was found between the healthy eating index at 4 and 7 years (β = 0⋅384, 95 % CI 0⋅356, 0⋅441). Maternal years of education (β = 0⋅094, 95 % CI 0⋅071, 0⋅116) and dietary score (β = 0⋅182, 95 % CI 0⋅155, 0⋅209) were positively associated with increasing dietary quality from 4 to 7 years. A healthier diet at preschool age, higher maternal education and a healthier diet increase the likelihood of maintaining a high healthy eating index score at school age.

scholarly journals Association of anthropomorphic measures across the life-course with refractive error and ocular biometry at age 15 years

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Bruce ◽  
Gillian Santorelli ◽  
Neema Mojarrad
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Maternal Weight ◽  
Variable Model ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Background: A recent Genome-wide association meta-analysis (GWAS) of refractive error reported shared genetics with anthropometric traits such as height, BMI and obesity. To explore a potential relationship with refractive error and ocular structure we performed a life-course analysis including both maternal and child characteristics using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort. Methods: Measures collected across the life-course were analysed to explore the association of height, weight, and BMI with refractive error and ocular biometric measures at age 15 years from 1613children. The outcome measures were the mean spherical equivalent (MSE) of refractive error (dioptres), axial length (AXL; mm), and radius of corneal curvature (RCC; mm). Potential confounding variables; maternal age at conception, maternal education level, parental socio-economic status, gestational age, breast-feeding, and gender were adjusted for within each multi-variable model. Results: Maternal height was positively associated with teenage AXL (0.010 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.017) and RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.007), increased maternal weight was positively associated with AXL (0.004 mm; 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.008). Birth length was associated with an increase in teenage AXL (0.067 mm; 95% CI: 0.032, 0.10) and flatter RCC (0.023 mm; 95% CI: 0.013, 0.034) and increasing birth weight was associated with flatter RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.0003, 0.009). An increase in teenage height was associated with a lower MSE (-0.007 D; 95% CI: -0.013, -0.001), an increase in AXL (0.021 mm; 95% CI: 0.015, 0.028) and flatter RCC (0.008 mm; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.010). Weight at 15 years was associated with an increase in AXL (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.009). Conclusions: At each life stage (pre-natal, birth, and teenage) height and weight, but not BMI, demonstrate an association with AXL and RCC measured at age 15 years. However, the negative association between refractive error and an increase in height was only present at the teenage life stage. Further research into the growth pattern of ocular structures and the development of refractive error over the life-course is required, particularly at the time of puberty.

scholarly journals Association of anthropomorphic measures across the life-course with refractive error and ocular biometry at age 15 years.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Bruce ◽  
Neema Mojarrad ◽  
Gillian Santorelli
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Maternal Weight ◽  
Variable Model ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Background: A recent Genome-wide association meta-analysis (GWAS) of refractive error reported shared genetics with anthropometric traits such as height, BMI and obesity. To explore a potential relationship with refractive error and ocular structure we performed a life-course analysis including both maternal and child characteristics using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort.Methods: Measures collected across the life-course were analysed to explore the association of height, weight, and BMI with refractive error and ocular biometric measures at age 15 years from 1613children. The outcome measures were the mean spherical equivalent (MSE) of refractive error (dioptres), axial length (AXL; mm), and radius of corneal curvature (RCC; mm). Potential confounding variables; maternal age at conception, maternal education level, parental socio-economic status, gestational age, breast-feeding, and gender were adjusted for within each multi-variable model.Results: Maternal height was positively associated with teenage AXL (0.010 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.017) and RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.007), increased maternal weight was positively associated with AXL (0.004 mm; 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.008). Birth length was associated with an increase in teenage AXL (0.067 mm; 95% CI: 0.032, 0.10) and flatter RCC (0.023 mm; 95% CI: 0.013, 0.034) and increasing birth weight was associated with flatter RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.0003, 0.009). An increase in teenage height was associated with a lower MSE (-0.007 D; 95% CI: -0.013, -0.001), an increase in AXL (0.021 mm; 95% CI: 0.015, 0.028) and flatter RCC (0.008 mm; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.010). Weight at 15 years was associated with an increase in AXL (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.009).Conclusions: At each life stage (pre-natal, birth, and teenage) height and weight, but not BMI, demonstrate an association with AXL and RCC measured at age 15 years. However, the negative association between refractive error and an increase in height was only present at the teenage life stage. Further research into the growth pattern of ocular structures and the development of refractive error over the life-course is required, particularly at the time of puberty.

scholarly journals Higher Ed as a Leveler: How Early Life and Higher Education Shape Resilience and Health in Adulthood

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 395-396
Author(s):  
Tyler Bruefach ◽  
Dawn Carr
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
College Education ◽  
Psychological Resilience ◽  
Early Life Factors ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Growing evidence shows that individuals who have high levels of psychological resilience maintain higher levels of physical and psychological health in later life. Individuals cultivate psychological resilience over the life course, yet little research has explored its mechanistic effects on health during midlife. One source of resilience may be formal education, which is a well-established determinant of health in adulthood. Resilience might be one reason for this robust association, as education helps individuals develop greater psychological resources in adulthood. On the other hand, having a college degree also increases access to other health-promoting resources that can be leveraged over the life course, such as better-paying and higher-quality jobs. Using data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), the current paper examines: 1) how early-life factors shape psychological resilience in early adulthood (24-32 years); and 2) the effects of early adulthood resilience on the association between education and health in mid-life (36-44 years). Results show that psychological resilience and college education have significant direct effects on health in midlife, net of health in early adulthood. However, first-generation college graduates cultivate more psychological resilience from their educational attainment than do those with college-educated parents. That is, higher education serves as a leveler for health gaps in midlife for those with fewer resources available in early life by bolstering resilience. These results provide important insights about how early life factors play an important role in shaping successful aging processes.

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