Early Life Conditions and Lower Body Functional Limitations in Adult Life: Evidence from the Mexican Health and Aging Study

Cheng Huang, Emory University
Irma T Elo, University of Pennsylvania

Using data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS), our study investigates the effects of early life conditions on lower body functional limitations among Mexicans aged 50 years and older. We find that early life conditions are significantly associated with lower body functional limitations at older ages, even after controlling for adult characteristics. Indicators of childhood nutritional status and childhood health are significant predictors of lower body functional limitations at older ages for both males and females. The associations between early life conditions and lower body functional limitations may partially operate through adult characteristics, possibly including chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, pain, and diabetes. Moreover, the associations between early life conditions and lower body functional limitations and the underlying mechanism are found to vary by gender. For example, education predicts lower body functional limitations for females, but not males.