Maintaining a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and keeping up with doctors’ appointments are essential for a healthy life. However, a recent study has highlighted an unexpected factor we may not be able to control: the educational background of our grandparents. This research, conducted by teams from Drexel University, the University of California, and the University of North Carolina, was published in the journal Social Science and Medicine.
The study analyzed data across three generations, focusing on the education levels of grandparents and parents, and the health information of their children. Researchers discovered a significant link between the education of grandparents and the epigenetic “real” age of their grandchildren. This “real” age reflects how old someone is based on their health condition rather than just their chronological age.
It was found that grandchildren of grandparents who held college degrees exhibited slower biological aging (meaning they had a younger biological age compared to their chronological age) when compared to those with less educated grandparents. This conclusion stems from five different types of epigenetic aging clocks, which analyze saliva samples to assess a biological process called DNA methylation. This process changes as an individual ages and can help to determine a person’s biological age by evaluating their health at the cellular level.
Lead researcher Agus Surachman, PhD, an assistant professor at the Dornsife School of Public Health, explained, “The research community has established links between various social and socioeconomic factors and childhood hardships that can shape health outcomes.” Surachman added, “While we have seen such patterns in animals, this study provides strong evidence in humans, showing that the socioeconomic background of grandparents can also affect the health of grandchildren.”
Earlier studies have indicated that trauma experienced by previous generations, like the Holocaust or the Tutsi genocide, can impact gene methylation in both survivors and their descendants. This study, however, aims to address a broader population by examining educational achievements as a common indicator of social stress in early life. The authors suggest that a parent’s educational level reflects the socioeconomic status and social stressors that their children experience during their formative years.
Surachman elaborated, “Early life socioeconomic advantages for parents may lead to healthier lives for their children through epigenetic mechanisms, particularly through the maternal lineage.” This understanding of the intergenerational transfer of social advantages and health prompts a reevaluation of societal values. Surachman expressed a desire for increased investment in education and health, which are pivotal to the well-being of future generations before they are born.
Epigenetic clocks hold promise as innovative tools for estimating life expectancy and assessing the likelihood of chronic diseases. Though testing for these clocks can be pricey, potentially costing hundreds of dollars, experts anticipate that prices will decrease as the technology advances.
As part of the NHLBI Growth and Health Study (NGHS 1), mothers were recruited when they were 9-10 years old and reassessed thirty years later in NGHS 2, to collect health and educational data, as well as to evaluate the epigenetic aging of their youngest children aged 2-17.
The researchers accounted for additional factors affecting child health, such as the grandchildren’s age and sex, their body mass index (BMI), and various characteristics of the mother, including her family background during childhood, health status, and marital situation.
The team also explored whether maternal health might help clarify the link between grandparent education and the biological age of grandchildren. By examining various health indicators, including maternal BMI, cardiovascular health, and inflammation levels, they found that the mother’s health could explain a minor portion of the connection (14.5%) between grandparents’ education and the epigenetic age of grandchildren.
Senior author Elissa Epel, PhD, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, commented, “The connection between a grandparent’s socioeconomic status and their grandchild’s biological age is remarkable and spans generations.” She added that further research is necessary to explore the many potential explanations behind this discovery.
The research team intends to continue following this group as they transition into adulthood, investigating predictors from grandparents and parents. They are also analyzing social and psychological factors contributing to accelerated epigenetic aging among individuals with chronic conditions, including survivors of breast cancer and those with chronic kidney disease. Nevertheless, more studies are required to fully understand the numerous factors influencing the health trajectories of young people.
Surachman pointed out, “In the U.S., we often put too much emphasis on personal responsibility regarding health, leading to a blame culture for those who struggle with health issues. However, the reality is that health is far more complex, and some factors, like genetics and inherited epigenetics, are beyond our control. I hope this insight encourages more empathy and understanding within our communities.”
Alongside Surachman and Epel, the research team included Elissa Hamlat from the University of California, San Francisco, Anthony S. Zannas from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Steve Horvath from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Barbara Laraia from the University of California, Berkeley.
This study received support from the Drexel FIRST (Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation) Program, various grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the National Institute on Aging, in addition to funding from the LSP Family Foundation.
