Prenatal exposure to the Great Chinese Famine and mid-age hypertension

Abstract

BackgroundOne of the most terrible famines last century was Great Chinese Famine (GCF) in 1959~1961 when millions of people died from starving. Under-nutrition during famine between the Western and Eastern (Dutch Hungry vs. GCF) was similar, while cardiovascular consequences might not be the same. Addressing such questions may gain new insight into prevention of cardiovascular diseases.MethodsA retrospective cohort of 18,593 participants aged 43–49 years of old, was from Suzhou, China. Logistic regression model was used to calculate the relative risk (RR) of hypertension and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). The multivariate RRs were adjusted for age, plasma glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol.ResultsThe multivariate RRs of systolic and diastolic pressure were not significantly elevated in the rural subgroups, but was higher in the urban population born in the famine (systolic pressure adjust RR 1.382, 95% CI 1.235–1.545, diastolic pressure adjust RR 1.569, 95% CI 1.415–1.740). The risks of hypertension were significantly higher among the urban subjects than that in the rural subgroups (systolic hypertension adjust RR 2.915, 95% CI 2.616–3.249, diastolic hypertension adjust RR 4.568, 95% CI 4.079–5.116). Percentile of optimal diastolic pressure at mid-age was significantly lower in the urban population prenatally exposed to the famine regardless of sexes. However, a similar reduction of percentage of optimal systolic pressure was only seen in the female, not the male population in the urban region.ConclusionThe data suggest Asian genetic basis was not able to block famine-programmed vascular diseases as that happened in Europe, and the programmed problems due to under-nutrition could be reversed after birth. Protective mechanisms may be related to diet habits before age of 30 years old, which is important contribution to early prevention of hypertension.

Ecological Determinants of the Happiness Index, Life Expectancy, Incidence and Dietary Patterns in Different Countries

“…High levels of food consumption including animal products and alcohol in happy countries are accompanied by the fact that more than 60% of the population of these countries has signs of obesity (BMI more than 25, hypercholesterolemia and low physical activity). Our results confirm the data on the nutritional disorders role in the obesity growth in the world and chronic diseases (CD), predisposition to which is transmitted by epigenetic mechanisms [21][22][23][24][25]. According to our data, in happy countries, unlike countries with LHI, life expectancy is higher; incidence of oncological and neurodegenerative diseases is higher and less often cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes and asthma.…”

BMI modified the association of current smoking with the incidence of hypertension in Chinese population: a 22-year cohort study

“…Former smokers were not mentioned in this study. Current drinking was defined as intake at least 50 g alcohol daily in the last 30 days prior to the survey [33]. Physical activity was defined as no (less than one hour per week) or yes (one or more hours per week).…”

Intensive gestational glycemic management and childhood obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…55 These seminal observations led to establishing that maternal nutritional deficiencies such as protein or total calories deficiencies are associated with an increased risk of offspring hypertension, overweight, and insulin resistance in animal models. 30,[56][57][58] Although these epidemiological observations have linked fetal exposures to maternal nutritional deprivation with higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood 28,36,59 , the longitudinal independent impact of intrauterine exposure to overnutrition on CVD risk has not yet been determined in humans. [60][61][62] Contrary to maternal nutritional deprivation which leads to a lack of nutrients to the developing fetus, intrauterine diabetes exposure leads to higher nutrient supplies (termed overnutrition).…”