Living in households with an annual income of $35,000 to $64,999 in early childhood was associated with high cardiovascular health in preadolescence compared to <$15,000 (RR 2.01; 95% CI 1.3-3.0).
Cohort (n=268)
Do early childhood sociodemographic factors affect preadolescent cardiovascular health in children from low-income and diverse households?
Early-life disadvantaged sociodemographic factors are negatively associated with preadolescent cardiovascular health, highlighting the need for interventions addressing social determinants of health.
Relative Risk: 2.01 (95% CI 1.3–3)
BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship between early childhood sociodemographic factors, a subset of social determinants of health, and preadolescent cardiovascular health (CVH) among a cohort of children from low-income and racially and ethnically diverse households using the American Heart Association Life's Essential 8 (except sleep). METHODS: This secondary data analysis used data from the NET-Works (Now Everybody Together for Amazing and Healthful Kids) randomized controlled trial and NET-Works 2 at the U follow-up study. Children (n=268) were 2 to 4 years at enrollment and followed through preadolescence (7-11 years). Sociodemographic factors at baseline were exposures. The main outcome was the CVH score (high (≥80) versus lower (<80) ), calculated using Life's Essential 8 factors measured at preadolescence. Modified Poisson regression models estimated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs for the association between sociodemographic factors and CVH. RESULTS: In early childhood, living in households with an annual income of 35 000 to 64 999 (relative to <15 000) (RR, 2. 01 95% CI, 1. 3-3. 0), a parent with at least a bachelor's degree (RR, 2. 1 95% CI, 1. 3-3. 3), enrollment in social security, disability, or unemployment (RR, 1. 6 95% CI, 1. 0-2. 4), and Non-Hispanic White (RR, 2. 2 95% CI, 1. 5-3. 3) were associated with high CVH in preadolescence. Among Life's Essential 8 factors, lower body mass index percentile and cholesterol, and higher physical activity levels and diet quality were most strongly associated with high CVH scores. CONCLUSIONS: Early-life disadvantaged sociodemographic factors were negatively associated with preadolescent CVH among children from low-income and racially and ethnically diverse households. Current public health prevention efforts to alleviate social disadvantage in early childhood are insufficient for long-term CVH. REGISTRATION: URL: https: //clinicaltrials. gov; Unique identifier: NCT01606891.
Jang et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular health (n=268). Annual household income of $35,000 to $64,999 vs. Annual household income <$15,000 was evaluated on High cardiovascular health (CVH) score (≥80) (RR 2.01, 95% CI 1.3-3.0). Living in households with an annual income of $35,000 to $64,999 in early childhood was associated with high cardiovascular health in preadolescence compared to <$15,000 (RR 2.01; 95% CI 1.3-3.0).