Women who give birth before the age of 21 are twice as likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity, a new study has found.
It also reveals they are four times more likely to develop severe disorders that affect the metabolism.
Researchers from The Buck Institute for Research on Ageing said that girls who go through puberty before the age of 11 will face the same risks.
Lead author of the study, Dr Pankaj Kapahi, said: “Even though women are routinely asked about their menstrual and childbirth history when they receive medical care, this information has rarely factored into the care they receive outside of [obstetrics and gynaecology].
“These risk factors, whether positive or negative, clearly have a significant influence on a variety of age-related diseases and should be considered in the larger context of overall health.”
The research also shows that later childbirth and puberty are genetically tied to longer lifespans and a reduced risk of age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
The study analysed nearly 200,000 women who participated in the research hub UK Biobank and identified 126 genetic markers that reveal the effects of early puberty and childbirth on ageing.
Dr Kapahi said the public health implications of the research were significant.
He said: “We show that genetic factors favouring early reproduction come with significant cost later in life, including accelerated ageing and disease. It makes sense that the very factors that help enhance survival of the offspring may lead to detrimental consequences for the mother.”
The role of Body Mass Index (BMI) is a critical cause of the effects, he said. Early reproduction contributes to a higher BMI, which makes you more prone to health problems.
“One can envisage that enhancing the ability to absorb nutrients would benefit the offspring, but if nutrients are plentiful, then it can enhance the risk of obesity and diabetes,” Dr Kapahi added.
He is now asking how this knowledge can be used to improve female health: “If evolution has shaped us to prioritise early reproduction at the cost of ageing, how can we leverage this knowledge to extend healthspan in modern society?
“While we cannot change our genetic inheritance, understanding these genetic tradeoffs empowers us to make informed choices about health, lifestyle and medical care.”
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