AGE (2015) 37: 108 DOI 10.1007/s11357-015-9846-1
Prenatal and childhood growth and physical performance in old age—findings from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study 1934–1944 Johan G. Eriksson & Clive Osmond & Mia-Maria Perälä & Minna K. Salonen & Mika Simonen & Pertti Pohjolainen & Eero Kajantie & Taina Rantanen & Mikaela B. von Bonsdorff
Received: 26 June 2015 / Accepted: 14 October 2015 / Published online: 24 October 2015 # American Aging Association 2015
Abstract Health in adulthood is in part a consequence of development and growth taking place during sensitive periods in early life. It has not been explored previously whether early growth is associated with physical performance in old age from a life course perspective taking into account health-related behavior, biological risk factors, and early life experiences. At a mean age of 71 years, physical performance was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) in 1078 individuals belonging to the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. We used multiple linear regression analysis to assess the association
between the SFT physical fitness scores and individual life course measurements. Several adult characteristics were associated with physical performance including socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and adult anthropometry. Higher birth weight and length were associated with better physical performance, even after adjusting for potential confounders (all p values
Prenatal and childhood growth and physical performance in old age—findings from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study 1934–1944 Johan G. Eriksson & Clive Osmond & Mia-Maria Perälä & Minna K. Salonen & Mika Simonen & Pertti Pohjolainen & Eero Kajantie & Taina Rantanen & Mikaela B. von Bonsdorff
Received: 26 June 2015 / Accepted: 14 October 2015 / Published online: 24 October 2015 # American Aging Association 2015
Abstract Health in adulthood is in part a consequence of development and growth taking place during sensitive periods in early life. It has not been explored previously whether early growth is associated with physical performance in old age from a life course perspective taking into account health-related behavior, biological risk factors, and early life experiences. At a mean age of 71 years, physical performance was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) in 1078 individuals belonging to the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. We used multiple linear regression analysis to assess the association
between the SFT physical fitness scores and individual life course measurements. Several adult characteristics were associated with physical performance including socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and adult anthropometry. Higher birth weight and length were associated with better physical performance, even after adjusting for potential confounders (all p values
