Allostatic load, adverse childhood experiences, executive functions, and BMI status in adolescents and young adults

IF 1.6 4区医学 Q1 ANTHROPOLOGY American Journal of Human Biology Pub Date : 2024-04-26 DOI:10.1002/ajhb.24089

Anna Prunell-Castañé, Maite Garolera, Jonatan Ottino-González, María Ángeles Jurado

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Abstract

Objectives

Chronic stress induces preclinical changes in the metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune systems. This phenomenon, known as allostatic load (AL), can impair executive functions (EF), which may be even more affected in individuals with excess weight due to their characteristic inflammatory state and cardiometabolic changes. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to AL and may influence executive functioning presumably via alterations within the hypothalamic–pituitary axis, including epigenetic modifications. We assess the relationship between AL and EF in youth with and without excess weight, and the effect ACEs on executive functioning.

Methods

One hundred eighty-two adolescents and young adults (85 with normal weight and 97 with overweight/obesity; 10–21 years) were recruited. The estimated AL index included the following: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and cortisol. ACEs were measured using the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. The neuropsychological evaluation included the assessment of inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility processes.

Results

AL was not significantly associated with executive functioning, and this relationship did not depend on body-weight status. ACEs, available for 57 of 182 participants, were significantly associated with poorer executive functioning.

Conclusions

Our study shows that AL is not associated with executive functioning in adolescents and young adults. Since the current sample was young, we hypothesize that a longer exposure to AL might be required for its negative effects to surface. Nevertheless, exposure to early adversity seems to be associated with poorer executive functioning in youth.

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青少年和年轻成年人的静态负荷、童年不良经历、执行功能和体重指数状况

目的长期压力会诱发新陈代谢、心血管和免疫系统发生临床前变化。这种现象被称为异位静态负荷（AL），会损害执行功能（EF），体重超标的人由于其特有的炎症状态和心脏代谢变化，执行功能受到的影响可能更大。童年不良经历（ACE）是造成AL的原因之一，并可能通过下丘脑-垂体轴的改变（包括表观遗传学改变）影响执行功能。我们评估了体重超标和未超标青少年的AL与EF之间的关系，以及ACE对执行功能的影响。方法我们招募了182名青少年（85名体重正常，97名超重/肥胖；10-21岁）。估计的 AL 指数包括：收缩压和舒张压、糖化血红蛋白、高密度和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯、高敏 C 反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原和皮质醇。ACE 使用青少年受害情况问卷进行测量。神经心理评估包括对抑制、工作记忆和认知灵活性过程的评估。结果AAL与执行功能无明显关系，且这种关系与体重状况无关。我们的研究表明，AL 与青少年和年轻人的执行功能没有关系。我们的研究表明，AL 与青少年和年轻人的执行功能无关。由于目前的样本年龄较小，我们推测，AL 的负面影响可能需要更长时间的暴露才能显现出来。然而，早期逆境似乎与青少年较差的执行功能有关。

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来源期刊

American Journal of Human Biology 生物-生物学

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

13.80%

发文量

124

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： The American Journal of Human Biology is the Official Journal of the Human Biology Association. The American Journal of Human Biology is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed, internationally circulated journal that publishes reports of original research, theoretical articles and timely reviews, and brief communications in the interdisciplinary field of human biology. As the official journal of the Human Biology Association, the Journal also publishes abstracts of research presented at its annual scientific meeting and book reviews relevant to the field. The Journal seeks scholarly manuscripts that address all aspects of human biology, health, and disease, particularly those that stress comparative, developmental, ecological, or evolutionary perspectives. The transdisciplinary areas covered in the Journal include, but are not limited to, epidemiology, genetic variation, population biology and demography, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, growth and aging, physical performance, physical activity and fitness, ecology, and evolution, along with their interactions. The Journal publishes basic, applied, and methodologically oriented research from all areas, including measurement, analytical techniques and strategies, and computer applications in human biology. Like many other biologically oriented disciplines, the field of human biology has undergone considerable growth and diversification in recent years, and the expansion of the aims and scope of the Journal is a reflection of this growth and membership diversification. The Journal is committed to prompt review, and priority publication is given to manuscripts with novel or timely findings, and to manuscripts of unusual interest.