A recent study conducted as part of the INMA project has found a significant association between elevated hair cortisol levels and increased behavioral problems in children. Led by Ane Arregi from the Basque Environmental Health Research Group at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), the research focused on 11-year-old participants and identified various factors contributing to chronic stress that may influence cortisol concentrations.
Cortisol, a hormone produced in response to stress, can be measured in various bodily fluids like blood, saliva, and urine, reflecting short-term stress levels. However, its accumulation in hair provides insights into chronic stress over time. Arregi explained, “The stress of forgetting your wallet while buying bread is different from the ongoing stress of not being able to afford food regularly.”
The study utilized hair samples from children involved in the INMA (Environment and Childhood) project, which collects extensive data on children and their families, starting from maternal pregnancy. The findings revealed two primary conclusions: first, significant behavioral issues in children are correlated with higher hair cortisol levels, and second, maternal stress also plays a crucial role in influencing these cortisol levels and, consequently, children’s behavioral outcomes.
In addition to these findings, the researchers uncovered an unexpected relationship between environmental noise and cortisol levels. Contrary to their initial hypotheses, higher exposure to environmental noise was linked to lower cortisol levels, a trend observed specifically among boys. The researchers theorized that while acute stress from noise may initially elevate cortisol levels, prolonged exposure to high noise levels could lead to a decrease in cortisol production.
To further verify these noise-related results, the team plans to conduct additional research as part of the broader European Athlete project under Horizon 2020.
Arregi emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach in understanding the interplay of various factors affecting hair cortisol levels. The study considered a range of environmental, social, and individual influences, including access to green spaces, air pollution, family dynamics, parental stress, sleep quality, physical activity, and demographic variables like age and sex.
“While our research highlighted these two specific factors, it’s important to recognize that many other influences may be at play,” Arregi noted. The model developed in the study aims to explore these relationships in greater depth, allowing for a clearer understanding of which variables should be prioritized in future research.
The researchers assert that further investigation into the determinants of hair cortisol levels in children is essential. Given the vulnerability of childhood and adolescence—a period marked by rapid development—understanding how various stressors impact health is critical for fostering healthy adult populations.
Arregi concluded, “We believe that measuring hair cortisol could serve as a valuable tool for assessing the impact of environmental exposures on chronic stress. This knowledge could inform effective public policies aimed at mitigating stressors in specific communities, ultimately enhancing public health outcomes.”
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