What they found
The study found that joint prenatal exposure to pesticides and psychosocial factors was positively associated with increased epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in children aged 1-5 years. Psychosocial factors, especially food insecurity, physical interpersonal violence, and stress biomarkers, were the largest contributors to this effect.
What they studied
Researchers investigated the joint effects of 11 urinary pesticide metabolites and seven psychosocial factors measured during pregnancy in 643 mothers. Child DNA methylation was assessed at ages 1, 3, and 5 years to estimate epigenetic age acceleration.
Takeaways
The abstract focuses on findings; it does not give personal how-to steps.
About this paper
This longitudinal study investigated 643 mothers and their children in the South African Drakenstein Child Health Study. It measured exposures during pregnancy and child DNA methylation at ages 1, 3, and 5 years. The findings highlight the importance of assessing both chemical and non-chemical stressors.