Research from Duke University indicates a significant connection between high stress levels in children and negative health outcomes later in life. The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, utilized quantifiable health metrics over time to illustrate the long-term impacts of early-life stress.
Co-author Herman Pontzer, a professor in evolutionary anthropology and global health at Duke, emphasized that the effects of adversity during childhood extend beyond psychological aspects; they physically alter how the body manages stress. He said, “We’ve known since the ’80s that childhood adversity affects bodily functions, not just mental health.”
The study concentrated on “allostatic load” (AL), which reflects the body’s cumulative wear due to chronic stress. The research examined how childhood AL correlates with adult cardiometabolic health, drawing on biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker; the Epstein-Barr virus, frequently encountered in the general population; body mass index; and blood pressure.
Lead author Elena Hinz, a Ph.D. student at Duke, discovered that stress indicators in children aged 9 to 11 could forecast their cardiovascular and metabolic health as adults. This approach contrasts with the common method of asking adults to recall their childhood stress levels; instead, the team relied on comprehensive data from a substantial, longitudinal study.
The data analyzed came from the Great Smoky Mountains Study (GSMS), which began in 1992 and is ongoing, focusing on child psychiatric disorders and the necessity for mental health services.
Hinz, who grew up in a rural community in East Tennessee, shared that her own experiences contributed to her interest in childhood stress. “I have a particular perspective on what stress means in such an environment, influenced by dietary challenges and the surroundings children face,” she explained.
Humans typically respond to acute stress with a fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. However, Hinz pointed out that this state isn’t sustainable over time: “What happens when that stress response doesn’t fade?” she pondered.
The study highlights poverty as a central issue, reinforcing that a stable, financially secure home is vital for a healthy childhood free from chronic stress.
“What happens to children at ages eight, nine, and ten seems to predict their adult blood pressure,” Pontzer noted in relation to childhood stress.
He added, “Educational opportunities and job training are crucial for lifting communities out of poverty. This kind of support ensures children don’t have to worry about having enough food, as that psychosocial stress can manifest physically in their bodies.”
For more information: Elena Hinz et al, “Childhood allostatic load predicts cardiometabolic health in adulthood,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2508549122
