Socioeconomic position across the lifecourse & allostatic load: data from the West of Scotland Twenty-07 cohort study

摘要

Background We examined how socioeconomic position (SEP) across the lifecourse (three critical periods, social mobility and accumulated over time) is associated with allostatic load (a measure of cumulative physiological burden). Methods Data are from the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study, with respondents aged 35 (n?=?740), 55 (n?=?817) and 75 (n?=?483). SEP measures representing childhood, the transition to adulthood and adulthood SEP were used. Allostatic load was produced by summing nine binary biomarker scores (1?=?in the highest-risk quartile). Linear regressions were used for each of the lifecourse models; with model fits compared using partial F-tests. Results For those aged 35 and 55, higher SEP was associated with lower allostatic load (no association in the 75-year-olds). The accumulation model (more time spent with higher SEP) had the best model fit in those aged 35 (b?=??0.50, 95%CI?=??0.68, ?0.32, P?=?0.002) and 55 (b?=??0.31, 95%CI?=??0.49, ?0.12, P? Conclusions Long-term, accumulated higher SEP has been shown to be associated with lower allostatic load (less physiological burden). However, the transition to adulthood may represent a particularly sensitive period for SEP to impact on allostatic load.