Parental Age at First Child and Heart Disease Risk Factors
Author Information
Author(s): R Hardy, D A Lawlor, S Black, G D Mishra, D Kuh
Primary Institution: Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, London, UK
Hypothesis
Younger parental age at birth of the first child is associated with poorer coronary heart disease risk factors in men and women.
Conclusion
Lifestyle factors, rather than the biological impact of pregnancy, explain the relationship between age at motherhood and coronary heart disease risk factors.
Supporting Evidence
- Younger age at first birth was linked to higher body mass index and blood pressure.
- The study included 2540 participants with health measures taken at age 53.
- Associations with blood pressure remained significant even after adjusting for lifestyle factors.
Takeaway
Having your first child at a younger age can lead to health problems later, like heart disease, because of lifestyle choices.
Methodology
Data from a birth cohort study of individuals born in Britain in 1946, with coronary heart disease risk factors measured at age 53 years.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding factors related to socioeconomic status and lifestyle were present.
Limitations
The study could not assess the relationship with coronary heart disease morbidity or mortality due to lack of numbers with disease outcomes.
Participant Demographics
Participants were men and women born in one week in March 1946, with a follow-up at age 53 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 27.2 to 28.8
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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