Here are three ways aspects of your health might be predetermined at birth.
If you weighed more than 10 pounds—or fewer than 6—at birth...
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...you have a greater risk for vision, hearing, or cognitive problems by the time you reach middle age, according to a UK study of more than 400,000 people. The University of Manchester researchers say the cognitive and sensory problems may stem from not getting enough nutrition before birth or, alternatively, from an abnormal amount of growth hormones that affect neurosensory development.
If your mom was 30+ when you were born...
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...you may have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, or elevated stress in your 20s and beyond—at least if you're a woman, according to a study from the American Psychological Association. Adult women born to moms older than 30 reported higher levels of stress than those whose mothers were younger. Also, women born to moms age 35 or older reported more anxiety and depression than women with younger mothers. The study authors theorize that the mother-daughter bond suffers from a 30-year age gap, making the relationship tense and causing more stress. Older mothers are also more likely to develop major health problems when their daughters are still relatively young, which could contribute to stress and depression, the researchers say. Interestingly, men seem to be immune from all this. Because guys are less likely to become caregivers for sick or aging moms, they may be less affected, the researchers say. (The Power Nutrient Solution tackles the root cause of virtually every major ailment and health condition; get your copy today!)
If you're a firstborn...
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...you're more likely to be overweight than your siblings, according to a study of more than 13,000 pairs of Swedish sisters. (Here are 7 more weird reasons you're gaining weight.) After analyzing data from the sister pairs, researchers found that firstborns were 29% more likely to be overweight and 40% more likely to be obese than their younger sisters. Firstborn men aren't off the hook, either. Earlier research discovered the same trends among firstborn boys. Researchers say it may have something to do with blood flow to the placenta. During a woman's first pregnancy, narrower blood vessels may not allow as many nutrients through as during later pregnancies.
