The intergenerational effects of low parental socio-economic position on cardiometabolic and inflammatory outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Author(s)
Rivillas-Garcia, Juan Carlos
Courtin, Emilie
Winpenny, Eleanor
Adebayo-Clements, Olaide
Devia-Rodriguez, Raul
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Evidence on the impacts of parental and early life socio-economic position (SEP) on health outcomes in adulthood remains mixed. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the association between low parental SEP and adult cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers in individuals aged 18 years and older.
Methods
A systematic search across five databases (EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, Cinahl, Global Health and Maternity and Infant Care until January 01, 2022) identified observational studies linking parental SEP with adult cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers. Pooled Standardized Mean Differences (SMD) were estimated using random-effects models. Risk of bias, heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the Cochrane tool, subgroup analysis and Egger's test, respectively.
Results
The review included 38 studies (12 in meta-analysis, n = 388,674). Findings showed that lower parental SEP was significantly associated with elevated blood pressure (SMD = .30 mmHg; 95% CI: .10, .50; I2 94%; n = 5), increased adiposity (SMD = .56; 95% CI: .05, 1.07: I2 98%; n = 6), higher C-reactive protein levels (SMD = 1.45 mg/dL; 95% CI: .06, 2.85; I2 80%; n = 9), elevated IL-6 (SMD = 2.12 pg./mL; 95% CI: −.72, 4.97; I2 100%; n = 4) and higher allostatic load (SMD = .85; 95% CI: .30, 1.40; I2 99%; n = 4). No consistent associations were found for glucose or lipid markers. Gender-specific variations were observed.
Conclusions
Low parental socio-economic position negatively impacts adult offspring health, manifesting as higher blood pressure, elevated C-reactive protein, increased interleukin-6, greater adiposity and higher allostatic load. Future research should prioritise three critical areas: mechanistic specificity, intersectional pathways and life-course timing and critical period detection.
Evidence on the impacts of parental and early life socio-economic position (SEP) on health outcomes in adulthood remains mixed. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the association between low parental SEP and adult cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers in individuals aged 18 years and older.
Methods
A systematic search across five databases (EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, Cinahl, Global Health and Maternity and Infant Care until January 01, 2022) identified observational studies linking parental SEP with adult cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers. Pooled Standardized Mean Differences (SMD) were estimated using random-effects models. Risk of bias, heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the Cochrane tool, subgroup analysis and Egger's test, respectively.
Results
The review included 38 studies (12 in meta-analysis, n = 388,674). Findings showed that lower parental SEP was significantly associated with elevated blood pressure (SMD = .30 mmHg; 95% CI: .10, .50; I2 94%; n = 5), increased adiposity (SMD = .56; 95% CI: .05, 1.07: I2 98%; n = 6), higher C-reactive protein levels (SMD = 1.45 mg/dL; 95% CI: .06, 2.85; I2 80%; n = 9), elevated IL-6 (SMD = 2.12 pg./mL; 95% CI: −.72, 4.97; I2 100%; n = 4) and higher allostatic load (SMD = .85; 95% CI: .30, 1.40; I2 99%; n = 4). No consistent associations were found for glucose or lipid markers. Gender-specific variations were observed.
Conclusions
Low parental socio-economic position negatively impacts adult offspring health, manifesting as higher blood pressure, elevated C-reactive protein, increased interleukin-6, greater adiposity and higher allostatic load. Future research should prioritise three critical areas: mechanistic specificity, intersectional pathways and life-course timing and critical period detection.
Date Issued
2026-01-01
Date Acceptance
2025-09-04
Citation
European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2026, 56 (1)
ISSN
0014-2972
Publisher
Wiley
Journal / Book Title
European Journal of Clinical Investigation
Volume
56
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). European Journal of Clinical Investigation published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41020493
Subjects
ALLOSTATIC LOAD
biological mechanisms
BLOOD-PRESSURE
cardiometabolic biomarkers
CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS
CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY
CIRCUMSTANCES
C-REACTIVE PROTEIN
DISEASE
EDUCATION
General & Internal Medicine
inflammation
life course epidemiology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
LIFE-COURSE
Medicine, General & Internal
Medicine, Research & Experimental
parental socio-economic position
Research & Experimental Medicine
Science & Technology
YOUNG-ADULTS
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Article Number
e70125
Date Publish Online
2025-09-29