What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to investigate the relationship between early life adversity and cardiometabolic health in adulthood.

March 28, 2026Open Access

Dimensions of early life adversity and cardiometabolic health in adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Key Result

Cumulative early life adversity correlates with adult cardiometabolic health, demonstrating differential effects compared to specific experiences of threat and deprivation.

Key Points

The study aims to investigate the relationship between early life adversity and cardiometabolic health in adulthood.
Conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature.
Assessed cumulative experiences of early life adversity.
Compared effects of different dimensions of adversity, including threat and deprivation.
Cumulative early life adversity correlates with poorer adult cardiometabolic health.
Differential effects were noted for cumulative adversity versus specific types like threat and deprivation.
Highlights the value of assessing various aspects of adversity in identifying at-risk groups.

Structured PICO

Does early life adversity affect cardiometabolic health in adulthood?

Population

Adults

Intervention

Early life adversity (ELA)

Outcome

Cardiometabolic health in adulthood

Cumulative early life adversity is an important correlate of adult cardiometabolic health, highlighting the potential value of comprehensive adversity assessment for identifying at-risk populations.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Findings underscore the importance of cumulative ELA as a correlate of adult cardiometabolic health, while also highlighting emerging evidence for differential effects of cumulative adversity compared with threat and deprivation. Results highlight the potential value of comprehensive adversity assessment for identifying at-risk populations and for guiding mechanistic and preventive research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).