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Sun Y, Miao Y, Wang S, Feng Y, Hua B. The association of famine exposure with healthy lifestyles at different life stages in rural older adults in China. Front Public Health 2025; 13:1533909. [PMID: 40190755 PMCID: PMC11970580 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1533909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2025] [Indexed: 04/09/2025] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess the potential association between exposure to Chinese famine and healthy lifestyles, as well as any gender disparities in this relationship to provide a scientific basis for the development of effective public health policies and interventions. Methods We used binary logistic regression models to estimate the potential association between famine exposure and healthy lifestyles and stratified by sex for comparisons. Unordered multicategory logistic regression model was used to assess the association between famine exposure and healthy lifestyle scores. We presented this association with Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results A total of 6,458 individuals were enrolled in the current study, of whom 4,155(64.3%) were women. Men exposed to famine in infancy (OR = 0.650, 95%CI: 0.506-0.834) and preschool (OR = 0.788, 95%CI: 0.631-0.985) was negatively associated with non-smoking and women exposed famine in infancy (OR = 0.699, 95%CI: 0.574-0.851), preschool (OR = 0.734, 95%CI: 0.613-0.880), and school age (OR = 0.764, 95%CI: 0.673-0.916) was negatively associated with normal weight, and women were more likely to be central obesity during exposed to famine in infancy (OR = 0.763, 95%CI: 0.624-0.934). The likelihood of having a healthy lifestyle score of 5-6 as an adult was higher for experiencing famine in preschool and school age. Conclusions Men exposed to the Chinese famine during infancy were positively associated with smoking and drinking, while women exhibited a positive association with central obesity. Women had unhealthy weight if they experienced famine early in life and a call for attention to nutritional status and women's health in the early life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Baoyong Hua
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Shen C, Chen X. A Systematic Analysis of Early Life Exposure to the Chinese Famine (1959-1961) and the Health of Older Adults - China, 2008-2023. China CDC Wkly 2024; 6:203-207. [PMID: 38532745 PMCID: PMC10961216 DOI: 10.46234/ccdcw2024.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
What is already known about this topic? There is mounting evidence indicating that the aging process initiates during early life stages, with in utero the individual's environment playing a significant role. Consequently, it is crucial to comprehend the enduring effects of early life circumstances on health in old age. What is added by this report? In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine the effects of the Chinese Famine (1959-1961) on the health of older adults. We also explored potential mechanisms underlying these effects. What are the implications for public health practice? The complex interplay between early life circumstances, multiple health-related sectors, and healthy aging necessitates a comprehensive life-course approach and strategic interventions to enhance public health in an aging society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Shen
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, U.S
- Department of Economics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, U.S
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Yi Q, Wu J, Shen Y, Zhu Y, Zhou Y, Bai H, Hao J, Song P. Associations of concurrent early-life famine exposure and adulthood obesity with type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Chinese. J Diabetes 2024; 16:e13480. [PMID: 37882478 PMCID: PMC10859315 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence has shown that early-life famine exposure and obesity in adulthood are independently associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, few studies had revealed the combined effect of these risk factors. METHODS Two sets of groups from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were selected. The fetal-exposure group born in 1959-1961 from 2011 wave (N = 958) and nonexposure group born in 1963-1965 from 2015 wave (N = 1540) were selected as Comparison 1. The early childhood-exposure group born in 1955-1957 from 2011 wave (N = 1510) and fetal-exposure group born in 1959-1961 from 2015 wave (N = 943) were Comparison 2. Logistic regressions were applied to examine the associations of different famine exposure periods and obesity patterns with T2DM risk. RESULTS Compared with nonexposed participants without central overweight/obesity in adulthood, central overweight/obesity in adulthood together with nonexposure (odds ratio [OR]: 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-3.00) or fetal-exposure (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.23-3.23) was associated with higher risks of T2DM. Compared with the early childhood-exposure group, the fetal-exposed participants showed higher risks of T2DM (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.02-1.66). The coexistence of fetal famine exposure and central overweight/obesity in adulthood was associated with higher risks of T2DM (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.19-2.79). Consistent associations were observed among males and participants from less severely affected areas. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, central overweight/obesity in adulthood is associated with the increased risk of T2DM, but the effect of early-life famine exposure is not very clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yi
- School of Public Health and Women's HospitalZhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yaojia Shen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public HealthPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yunying Zhu
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yiyang Zhou
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - He Bai
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jiajun Hao
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Peige Song
- School of Public Health and Women's HospitalZhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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Hu K, Cui A, Zhang X. Intergenerational relationship between parental famine exposure and offspring's obesity risks. J Epidemiol Community Health 2023; 78:jech-2022-220024. [PMID: 37985131 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2022-220024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intergenerational relationship between parental famine exposure and the obesity risks of offspring has not been well studied. METHODS Using a cohort of 3654 respondents whose parents were born between 1950 and 1964 from the national data of the China Family Panel Studies, this study examines the associations between parental exposure to the 1959-1961 Chinese famine and offspring's body mass index (BMI). A cross-sectional difference-in-difference design was used to estimate the effects of parental famine exposures on offspring's BMI by exploiting temporal variations in the duration and period of famine across the parental birth cohorts between 1950 and 1964, and geographical variations in the famine severity at the province level. RESULTS After adjusting individual characteristics and province-level fixed effects, we found that parental famine exposures in the preschool and school-age stages were associated with an increased BMI of offspring while there was not a significant association between prenatal famine exposure and offspring's BMI. The stratified analyses further show that the effects of parental famine exposure did not follow the same trajectory in subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Famine experiences of parents were associated with increased BMI of offspring, suggesting an intergenerational impact of severe malnutrition on obesity risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Hu
- Department of Sociology, School of Social and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Aoyuan Cui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
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He X, Shi X, Pan D, Wang H, Zhang X, Pu L, Luo M, Li J. Secular trend of non-communicable chronic disease prevalence throughout the life span who endured Chinese Great Famine (1959-1961). BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1238. [PMID: 37365633 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16142-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Famine is a risk factor for non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs), which account for over 80% of deaths in China. The effect of famine on the prevalence of NCDs in terms of various age groups, time periods and cohorts is currently poorly understood. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore long-term trends in the impact of China's Great Famine (1959-1961) on NCDs in China. METHODS This study used data from the 2010-2020 China Family Panel Longitudinal Survey across 25 provinces in China. The subjects were aged 18-85 years, and the total number of subjects was 174,894. The prevalence of NCDs was derived from the China Family Panel Studies database (CFPS). An age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to estimate the age, period and cohort effects of NCDs in 2010-2020 and the effect of famine on the risk of NCDs in terms of cohort effects. RESULTS The prevalence of NCDs increased with age. Additionally, the prevalence did not clearly decrease over the survey period. Regarding the cohort effect, people born in the years adjacent to the famine period had a higher risk of NCDs; additionally, females, those born in rural areas, and those who lived in provinces with severe famine and post-famine had a higher likelihood of NCDs. CONCLUSIONS Experiencing famine at an early age or the experience of famine in a close relative's generation (births after the onset of famine) are associated with an increased risk of NCDs. Additionally, more severe famine is associated with a higher risk of NCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue He
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiaojuan Shi
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Degong Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Lining Pu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Mingxiu Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 75004, Ningxia, China.
| | - Jiangping Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, Hui Autonomous Region, China.
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Re-examining the reversal hypothesis: A nationwide population-based study of the association between socioeconomic status, and NCDs and risk factors in China. SSM Popul Health 2023; 21:101335. [PMID: 36691489 PMCID: PMC9860511 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background According to the reversal hypothesis, as a country's economic and social development progresses, the burden of NCDs and risk factors shifts from rich to poor. The aim of this research is to examine the reversal hypothesis in the Chinese setting. Methods Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2015, we explored whether the reversal hypothesis applies at the subnational level. Participants aged 45 years and older in 2015 were included. We examined five risk factors (smoking, heavy drinking, physical inactivity, overweight, and obesity) and three objectively measured NCDs (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia). Binary logistic regressions were performed to examine outcomes across people of differing SES in provincial level, in urban and rural areas, and across generations. Results Nationally, SES is positively associated with heavy drinking, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia, whereas it is negatively associated with physical inactivity. The association between SES and smoking and hypertension was not statistically significant. Except in the cases of diabetes and dyslipidemia, we found that risk factors of all kinds were more concentrated among richer people in rural than in urban areas. Across provinces with increasing GDP per capita, a downward trend in risk factors among those with high SES compared to those with low SES could be interpreted, while the opposite trend could be interpreted with respect to the metabolic syndrome conditions. Obesity and overweight exhibited slight downward trends (in line with those for risk factors) and upward trends (in line with those for metabolic syndrome conditions), respectively. Conclusion We conclude that China is at a relatively early stage of 'reversal', visible with respect to risk factors. If these patterns persist over time, the trend will likely feed through to metabolic disorders which will increasingly become diseases of the poor.
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He B, Li Z, Xu L, Liu L, Wang S, Zhan S, Song Y. Upper arm length and knee height are associated with diabetes in the middle-aged and elderly: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:190-198. [PMID: 35581171 PMCID: PMC11077445 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980022001215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if limb lengths, as markers of early life environment, are associated with the risk of diabetes in China. DESIGN We performed a cohort analysis using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the associations between baseline limb lengths and subsequent risk of diabetes. SETTING The CHARLS, 2011-2018. PARTICIPANTS The study confined the eligible subject to 10 711 adults aged over 45 years from the CHARLS. RESULTS During a mean follow-up period of 6·13 years, 1358 cases of incident diabetes were detected. When controlling for potential covariates, upper arm length was inversely related to diabetes (hazard ratio (HR) 0·95, 95 % CI (0·91, 0·99), P = 0·028), and for every 1-cm difference in knee height, the risk of diabetes decreased by about 4 % (HR 0·96, 95 % CI (0·93, 0·99), P = 0·023). The association between upper arm length and diabetes was only significant among females while the association between knee height and diabetes was only significant among males. In analyses stratified by BMI, significant associations between upper arm length/knee height and diabetes only existed among those who were underweight (HR 0·91, 95 % CI (0·83, 1·00), P = 0·049, HR 0·92, 95 % CI (0·86, 0·99), P = 0·031). CONCLUSIONS Inverse associations were observed between upper arm length, knee height and the risk for diabetes development in a large Asian population, suggesting early life environment, especially infant nutritional status, may play an important role in the determination of future diabetes risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public
Health, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District,
Beijing100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhengyang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital
Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Huaiyin
District, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public
Health, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District,
Beijing100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lili Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public
Health, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District,
Beijing100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengfeng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public
Health, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District,
Beijing100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Siyan Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public
Health, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District,
Beijing100191, People’s Republic of China
- Research Center of Clinical Epidemiology, Peking
University Third Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing,
People’s Republic of China
- Center for Intelligent Public Health, Institute for Artificial
Intelligence, Peking University, Beijing,
People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongfeng Song
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital
Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Huaiyin
District, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine & Metabolic Diseases,
Shandong First Medical University, Jinan,
People’s Republic of China
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Arage G, Belachew T, Abate KH. Early life famine exposure and anthropometric profile in adulthood: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. BMC Nutr 2022; 8:36. [PMID: 35459231 PMCID: PMC9028079 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-022-00523-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous famine studies reported the association between early life famine exposure and adulthood anthropometric profile. However, the findings were variable. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to clarify the association of famine exposure in early life with the anthropometric profiles in adults. Methods Potentially relevant studies were searched through Scopus, Medline, Google Scholar and Google for gray literature and reference lists of previous studies. The random effects model (REM) and I2 test was used to adapt the pooling method and assess heterogeneity, respectively. Results Prenatal famine exposure was associated with increased risk of body mass index [SMD = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.18)], waist circumference [SMD = 0.21 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.31)] in adults. Likewise, famine exposure during prenatal life was associated with decreased adult height [SMD) = − 0.26 (95% CI: − 0.44, − 0.09)]. Moreover, famine exposure during early childhood was associated with increased risk of waist circumference [SMD = 0.09 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.16)] and decreased adult height [SMD = − 0.16 (95% CI: − 0.27, − 0.04)]. Conclusion Our finding indicates that exposure to famine during early life was associated with the anthropometric profile of adults. In terms of public health significance, the results of the study further underscore the importance of improving the nutritional status of mothers and children to prevent adulthood diseases in the long run. Systematic review registration number PROSPERO CRD42020168424 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40795-022-00523-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getachew Arage
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia. .,Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Kalkidan Hassen Abate
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Li Y, Sunder N. What doesn't kill her, will make her depressed. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2021; 43:101064. [PMID: 34601324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2021.101064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we study the long run effects of the 1959-61 Chinese Famine on mental health outcomes. We focus on cohorts that were born during the famine and examine their mental health as adults, when they are roughly 55 years of age. We find that early-life exposure to this famine leads to a large statistically significant negative impact on women's mental health, while there is limited effect on men. This gender differential effect is observed because male fetuses experience a stronger natural selection as compared to female fetuses, which implies that in the longer run, surviving females may exhibit larger detrimental effects of early-life famine exposure. Thus, the observed effects are a composite of two well-established factors, the survival of the fittest and the Fetal Origins hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Li
- Business School, Beijing Normal University, 1720 Houzhu Building, No. 19 XinJieKouWai Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Naveen Sunder
- Department of Economics, Bentley University, AAC Room 187, 175 Forest St., Waltham, MA, 02452, United States.
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Li W, Sun N, Kondracki AJ, Kiplagat S, Osibogun O, Kalan ME, Jebai R, Sun W, Wei Z. Exposure to famine in early life and self-rated health status among Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). BMJ Open 2021; 11:e048214. [PMID: 34642191 PMCID: PMC8513269 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE China's Great Famine between 1959 and 1961 has contributed to numerous adverse health outcomes in Chinese. This study aimed to examine the association between exposure to famine in early life and self-rated health (SRH) in adulthood. METHODS 4418 Chinese adults from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to estimate adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CIs of the association between exposure to famine in early life and SRH, stratified by sex. RESULTS Participants exposed to famine during infancy were more likely to report poor SRH (aOR 1.33; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.70) compared with the non-exposed group, adjusting for confounders. Males were 32% less likely than females to report poor SRH (aOR 0.68; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.86). Participants diagnosed with chronic diseases (aOR 3.11; 95% CI 2.68 to 3.61), disability (aOR 1.82; 95% CI 1.38 to 2.38) and vision impairment (aOR 2.07; 95% CI 1.72 to 2.49) were more likely to report poor SRH. Participants who were current alcohol users and with abnormal weight were less likely to report poor SRH. Stratification by sex showed no significant association between famine and SRH among males, but a consistently significant association was observed among females (aOR 1.46; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.12). CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study indicated that females exposed to famine in China during infancy were more likely to report poor SRH in their adulthood. Implementing interventions to those who were exposed to famine in early life, especially for females, may improve their long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ning Sun
- Department of Biostatistics, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Anthony J Kondracki
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia, USA
| | - Sandra Kiplagat
- Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Olatokunbo Osibogun
- Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mohammad Ebrahimi Kalan
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rime Jebai
- Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Wenjie Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhen Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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Zhang L, Yang L, Wang C, Yuan T, Zhang D, Wei H, Li J, Lei Y, Sun L, Li X, Hua Y, Che H, Li Y. Combined Effect of Famine Exposure and Obesity Parameters on Hypertension in the Midaged and Older Adult: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5594718. [PMID: 34604385 PMCID: PMC8486537 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5594718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Undernutrition early in life may increase the incidence of adverse effects on adult health. The relations between undernutrition and obesity parameters (body mass index (BMI) and WC (waist circle)) and hypertension were often contradictory. Our study is aimed at identifying the combined effects of famine exposure and obesity parameters on hypertension in middle-aged and older Chinese. DESIGN A population-based cross-sectional study. Setting. Data were selected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study Wave2011 (CHARLS Wave2011). Participants. The sample included 12945 individuals aged 45 to 96. Main Outcome Measurements. The study analyzed data from 12945 middle-aged and older Chinese selected from CHARLS Wave2011. Differences between baseline characteristics and famine exposure/BMI levels/WC levels were evaluated using the t-, Chi-square- (χ 2-), and F-test. Then, the difference in the prevalence of hypertension between baseline characteristics was estimated by the t- and χ 2-test. Finally, multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to explore the associations of famine exposure and obesity parameters with odds of prevalence of hypertension. RESULTS Among the 12945 participants, 1548 (11.96%) participants had been exposed to the Chinese famine during the fetal group, whereas 5101 (39.41%) participants and 4362 (33.70%) participants had been exposed to the famine during childhood and adolescence/adult group, respectively. Regarding the participants with BMI levels, 3746 (28.94%) were overweight, and 1465 (11.32%) were obese, whereas 5345 (41.29%) of the participants with WC levels were obese, respectively. Furthermore, 1920 (31.17%) had hypertension in males and 2233 (32.91%) in females. In multivariable-adjusted models, famine exposure and obesity parameters were related with prevalence of hypertension independently in total populations ((1) model threec, famine exposure with prevalence of hypertension: the fatal-exposed vs. no-exposed group (OR1.27; 95% CI 1.08, 1.49); childhood-exposed vs. no-exposed group (OR1.64; 95% CI 1.44, 1.87); the adolescence/adult-exposed vs. no-exposed group (OR3.06; 95% CI 2.68, 3.50); P for trend < 0.001; (2) model threee, famine exposure with prevalence of hypertension: the fatal-exposed vs. no-exposed group (OR1.25; 95% CI 1.06, 1.47); childhood-exposed vs. no-exposed group (OR1.52; 95% CI 1.34, 1.73); the adolescence/adult-exposed vs. no-exposed group (OR2.66; 95% CI 2.33, 3.03); P for trend < 0.001; (3) model threeg, BMI levels with prevalence of hypertension: overweight vs. normal (OR1.75; 95% CI 1.60, 1.91); obesity vs. normal (OR2.79; 95% CI 2.48, 3.15); P for trend < 0.001; (4) WC levels with prevalence of hypertension: overweight vs. normal (OR1.42; 95% CI 1.36, 1.48)). When stratified by sex, results in both males and females were mostly similar to those in the total population. In general, interaction analysis in the multivariable-adjusted model, compared with the combination of normal BMI/WC levels and no-exposed famine group, all groups trended towards higher odds of prevalence of hypertension (the greatest increase in odds, adolescence/adult-exposed group with obesity in BMI levels: (OR8.13; 95% CI 6.18, 10.71); adolescence/adult-exposed group with obesity in WC levels: (OR6.36; 95% CI 5.22, 7.75); P for interaction < 0.001). When stratified by sex, the results in both males and females were also similar to those in the total population. CONCLUSION Our data support a strongly positive combined effect of famine exposure and obesity parameters on hypertension in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Congzhi Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ting Yuan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Huanhuan Wei
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yunxiao Lei
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Lu Sun
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ying Hua
- Rehabilitation Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hengying Che
- Department of Nursing, Yijishan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Zheshan West Road, Yijishan District, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yuanzhen Li
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China
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Exposure to the Great Famine in Early Life and the Risk of Obesity in Adulthood: A Report Based on the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13041285. [PMID: 33919739 PMCID: PMC8070734 DOI: 10.3390/nu13041285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine malnutrition has a long-term effect on human health. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between exposure to famine in early life and obesity in adulthood in Chinese adults. A total of 5033 participants (22,132 observations) of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 1991–2015 were classified into three famine exposure groups according to their birth year: unexposed (1963–1966), fetal-exposed (1959–1962) and childhood-exposed (1955–1958). Compared with the unexposed group, the fetal-exposed group had higher levels of body-mass-index (BMI) and waist-circumference (WC), and higher prevalence of overweight and central obesity, whereas the childhood-exposed group had lower levels of the measurements. However, the positive associations of fetal exposure with BMI, WC and prevalence of overweight and central obesity were attenuated by additionally adjusting for age at survey. Stratified analysis showed that the adverse effect of fetal exposure to famine was only observed in subjects at several specific age-groups, and in men living in rural areas and in women living in more severe famine exposed areas (p for interaction < 0.05). Our results provide evidence for the weak effect of fetal exposure to famine on body measurements in adulthood, and suggest the importance of severity of famine exposure and timing of exposure.
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Arage G, Belachew T, Hajmahmud K, Abera M, Abdulhay F, Abdulahi M, Abate KH. Impact of early life famine exposure on adulthood anthropometry among survivors of the 1983-1985 Ethiopian Great famine: a historical cohort study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:94. [PMID: 33413236 PMCID: PMC7792120 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09982-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nutritional insult in early life brings adaptive changes in body structure and functioning that could remain throughout the affected individual's life course. The long term impact of early life famine exposure on adulthood anthropometric measurements has been recorded in previous studies. However, the results were contradictory. Hence, we extend this study to examine the impact of famine exposure during early life on adulthood's anthropometry among survivors of the 1983-85 Ethiopian great famine. METHODS A total of 1384 adult men and women survived from 1983 to 85 Ethiopian great famine were included in the study. Famine exposure status was classified into five groups: early life-exposed, prenatal-exposed, postnatal-exposed, adolescence-exposed, and non-exposed based on self-reported age and birthdate of the participants. Prenatal, post-natal, and adolescence exposed groups were considered as early life exposed. Following a standard procedure, anthropometric measurements were taken. A linear regression analysis was used to analyze the impact of famine exposure on adult anthropometric measurements adjusted for all possible covariates. The effect of famine exposure on overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity was examined using multinomial and binary logistic regression analysis. RESULT Compared to non-exposed groups, adult height was lower by 1.83 cm (β = - 1.83; 95% CI: - 3.05, - 0.58), 1.35 cm (β = - 1.35; 95% CI: - 2.56, - 0.14) and 2.07 cm (β = - 2.07 cm; 95% CI: - 3.31, - 0.80) among early life, prenatal and post-natal exposed groups, respectively. Likewise, famine exposure during early life (β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.03), prenatal (β = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.03) and post-natal life (β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.03) was positively associated with increased waist to height ratio. However, none of the above exposures resulted in a significant association with body mass index (P > 0. 05). Additionally, exposure to famine during early stage of life was not associated with increased risk of overweight, general obesity and abdominal obesity in adults. CONCLUSION Decreased adult height and increased waist-to-height ratio were associated with early life exposure to famine, particularly prenatal and post-natal exposure. These results therefore underscore the significance of avoiding undernutrition in early life, which tends to be important for achieving once potential adult height and to minimize the increased risk of anthropometric markers of abdominal obesity such as waist to height ratio in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getachew Arage
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Kemal Hajmahmud
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Mubarek Abera
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Fedilu Abdulhay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Misra Abdulahi
- Department of Population and Family Heath, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Kalkidan Hassen Abate
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Liu Y, Diao L, Xu L. The impact of childhood experience of starvations on the health of older adults: Evidence from China. Int J Health Plann Manage 2020; 36:515-531. [PMID: 33331669 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper used pooled cross-sectional data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey to comprehensively investigate how childhood experiences of starvation affect the health of older Chinese adults. The study found that the childhood experience of starvation was negatively correlated with self-rated health, functional health and cognitive health among older adults. After using the model and variable substitution methods to address the endogeneity problems caused by omitted variables, the negative effects of childhood experiences of starvation on the health of older adults were still present. The Karlson-Holm-Breen decomposition method was used to test the mediation effects, and it was found that childhood experiences of starvation had adverse effects on the health of older adults through endowment insurance, household income, education and nutrition. Consequently, the government should strengthen nutrition or other related health interventions for children and make longer-term plans for improving the health of older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Liu
- School of Government, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
| | - Li Diao
- Center for Social Security Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Xu
- School of Social Work, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
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15
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Yang Y, Kelifa MO, Yu B, Herbert C, Wang Y, Jiang J. Gender-specific temporal trends in overweight prevalence among Chinese adults: a hierarchical age-period-cohort analysis from 2008 to 2015. Glob Health Res Policy 2020; 5:42. [PMID: 32944654 PMCID: PMC7488461 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-020-00169-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As a key health risk, the prevalence of overweight has been strikingly increasing worldwide. This study aimed to disentangle the net age, period, and cohort effects on overweight among Chinese adults by gender. Methods Data came from the Chinese General Social Survey from 2008 to 2015, which was a repeated cross-sectional survey (n = 55,726, aged 18 and older). χ2 or t tests were used to estimate the gender disparities in overweight and socioeconomic status (SES). A series of hierarchical age-period-cohort cross-classified random-effects models were performed using SAS version 9.4 to estimate the overall and gender-specific temporal trends of overweight, as well as the association between SES and overweight. Further, a series of line charts were used to present the age and cohort variations in overweight. Results After controlling for covariates, significant age and cohort effects were observed among adults in China (b = 0.0205, p < 0.001; b = 0.0122, p < 0.05; respectively). Specifically, inverted U-shaped age effects were identified for both genders, with a high probability of overweight occurring in middle age (b = -0.0012, p < 0.001). Overweight was more prevalent among men than women before 60 years old, and this trend reversed thereafter (b = -0.0253, p < 0.001). Moreover, men born during the war (before 1950) and reform cohorts (after the 1975s) demonstrated a substantial decline in overweight, while men born in 1950-1975 showed an increasing trend in overweight prevalence (b = 0.0378, p < 0.05). However, the cohort effect on women was not statistically significant. Additionally, a higher SES was related to an elevated probability of overweight. Conclusion Gender-specific age and cohort effects on the prevalence of overweight were observed among Chinese adults. Both China and other developing countries need to pay attention to the coming obesity challenge and related health inequality. Full life-cycle overweight prevention interventions should focus on middle-aged adults, men born in the war and reform eras, and adults with a higher SES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinmei Yang
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115 Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430071 Hubei China
| | | | - Bin Yu
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 100231 USA
| | - Carly Herbert
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA USA
| | - Yongbo Wang
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115 Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430071 Hubei China
| | - Junfeng Jiang
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115 Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430071 Hubei China
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16
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Zhang W, Luan R. Early-life exposure to the Chinese famine of 1959-61 and risk of Hyperuricemia: results from the China health and retirement longitudinal study. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:15. [PMID: 31906901 PMCID: PMC6945412 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-8017-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Short-term starvation has been related to hyperuricemia. However, little is known about the long-term effect of early-life exposure to famine on hyperuricemia risk in adulthood. Methods The analysis included 2383 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2015. Hyperuricemia was diagnosed as serum uric acid ≥7 mg/dL in men and serum uric acid ≥6 mg/dL in women. Famine exposure subgroups were defined as unexposed (born between October 1, 1962, and September 30, 1964), fetal-exposed (born between October 1, 1959, and September 30, 1961), and early-childhood exposed (born between October 1, 1956, and September 1, 1958). The association between early-life famine exposure and hyperuricemia risk was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results The prevalence of hyperuricemia in the unexposed, fetal-exposed, and early-childhood exposed participants was 10.7, 14.1, 11.1%, respectively. Compared with unexposed and early-childhood exposed participants combined as an age-balanced control, fetal-exposed participants showed an increased risk of hyperuricemia in adulthood (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.06–1.88), after adjusting for gender, marital status, famine severity, residence, smoking, drinking, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes. The famine effect on hyperuricemia was accentuated by overweight or obesity (P for interaction = 0.042). Compared with unexposed and BMI < 24 kg/m2 participants, the OR (95%CI) of hyperuricemia was 3.66 (2.13–6.30) for fetal-exposed and overweight/obesity participants. However, combined unexposed and early-childhood exposed participants as an age-balanced control, the interaction of famine exposure and BMI was not statistically significant (P for interaction = 0.054). Conclusion Famine exposure in the fetal stage was associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Zhang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16, Section 3, Ren Min Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Rongsheng Luan
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16, Section 3, Ren Min Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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