Adult impact of peer problems in adolescence

Here's a research finding that may shed light on the cause of adult heath problems in an ancestor's history.

A Swedish study reported in PLOS One finds a correlation between a cluster of adult metabolic and cardiovascular disturbances (metabolic syndrome), including central obesity, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure and disturbed glucose metabolism and peer problems in the school setting in adolescence.

Results showed a dose-response relationship between peer problems in adolescence and metabolic syndrome in middle-age, corresponding to 36% higher odds for the metabolic syndrome at age 43 for each standard deviation higher peer problems score at age 16. The effect was still present when other confounding factors were accounted for and slightly stronger in women than in men.

Read the complete article Do Peer Relations in Adolescence Influence Health in Adulthood? Peer Problems in the School Setting and the Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-Age at http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0039385#s1