Life-course influence of adolescent behaviour problems on type 2 diabetes in midlife: results from 1958 British Birth Cohort Study

Purpose: To assess whether there is a long-term relationship between childhood behaviour problems and type 2 diabetes in midlife. The study will also investigate whether any of such relationship is independent of other factors which may be associated with type 2 diabetes. Design: Cohort study. Participants: A total of 9377 members of the 1958 British birth cohort participated in the biomedical survey at age 45 years. The cohort has been followed up at regular intervals in childhood (age 7, 11 and 16 years) and adulthood (23, 33, 42 and 45 years). Predictor Variables: Information regarding childhood behaviour collected during follow-ups at ages 7, 11 and 16 years. Main Outcome Variables: Type 2 diabetes assessed using HbA1c at age 45 years. Results: Unadjusted estimates show that teachers reported adolescent behaviour problems at age of 16 are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes in midlife. After adjustment for potential confounders and mediators in childhood and adulthood, a relationship was observed between the severity of adolescent behaviour problems and type 2 diabetes risk in midlife (mild behaviour problems: OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.11–4.23; severe behaviour problems: OR 4.40, 95% CI 1.14–16.99). However, no such relationship was observed between behaviour problems at 7 and 11 years and type 2 diabetes in midlife. Conclusion: There is an association between adolescent behaviour problems and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in midlife. Further molecular/genetic studies are required to understand the biological basis for this observed association.