Childhood stress leads to adult ill health, studies say

Stress in childhood has long-term effects say psychologists

Adversity and stress early in life leads to long-term ill health and early death, a group of psychologists warn.

A series of studies suggest that childhood stress caused by poverty or abuse can lead to heart disease, inflammation, and speed up cell ageing.

The American Psychological Association meeting heard that early experiences "cast a long shadow" on health.

One UK expert said more and more evidence was suggesting a physical impact of stress in childhood.

In one study, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh looked at the relationship between living in poverty and early signs of heart disease in 200 healthy teenagers.

They found that those from the worst-off families had stiffer arteries and higher blood pressure.