Association Between Early-life Malnutrition and Lifestyle Behaviors in Later Life Among Rural Elderly with Hypertension - Jia County, Pingdingshan City, Henan Province, China, 2023.

Early-life malnutrition influences lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes, particularly in vulnerable populations, such as elderly hypertensive populations. This study revealed that malnutrition among infant and toddler exposed, preschool exposed, school-aged child exposed, and adolescent exposed groups was associated with increased smoking and drinking behaviors and a lower likelihood of maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding central obesity. Public health interventions should target elderly individuals exposed to early-life malnutrition to address long-term risks and mitigate the health impacts of food scarcity and natural disasters.