title: Work-family life courses and metabolic markers in mid-life: evidence from the British National Child Development Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have found generally better health among those who combine employment and family responsibilities; however, most research excludes men, and relies on subjective measures of health and information on work and family activities from only 1 or 2 time points in the life course. This study investigated associations between work-family life course types (LCTs) and markers of metabolic risk in a British birth cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multichannel sequence analysis was used to generate work-family LCTs, combining annual information on work, partnership and parenthood between 16 and 42 years for men and women in the British National Child Development Study (NCDS, followed since their birth in 1958). Associations between work-family LCTs and metabolic risk factors in mid-life (age 44-45) were tested using multivariate linear regression in multiply imputed data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Life courses characterised by earlier transitions into parenthood were associated with significantly increased metabolic risk, regardless of attachment to paid work or marital stability over the life course. These associations were only partially attenuated by educational qualifications, early life circumstances and adult mediators. The positive association between weak labour markets ties and metabolic risk was weaker than might be expected from previous studies. Associations between work-family LCTs and metabolic risk factors did not differ significantly by gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Earlier transitions to parenthood are linked to metabolic risk in mid-life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McMunn
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Lacey
authors.affiliation: Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
authors.forename: Meena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Worts
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McDonough
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sacker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment; D004739:England; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cohort studies; EMPLOYMENT; Life course epidemiology; MARITAL STATUS