Growth Environment and Sex Differences in Lipids, Body Shape and Diabetes Risk

Authors: C. Mary Schooling, Tai Hing Lam, G. Neil Thomas, Benjamin J. Cowling, Michelle Heys, Edward D. Janus, Gabriel M. Leung

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001070

Abstract Summary

Growing up in economically developed vs. undeveloped environments affects heart disease risk factors differently by sex. Men raised in developed areas had worse cardiovascular profiles (higher waist-hip ratio, higher ApoB), while women showed the opposite—better profiles with higher HDL-cholesterol and lower waist-hip ratio. Better childhood nutrition may increase sex hormones at puberty, creating lasting sex-specific effects on lipids and body fat distribution that track into adulthood.

Why Brain? 🧠

Study reveals childhood environment affects heart disease risk factors differently by sex: developed settings increase male cardiovascular risk but decrease female risk through puberty changes.

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