Environmental Factors in Childhood Influence Long-Term Health by Reducing Inflammation

The environment in which children grow up significantly impacts their lifelong health, particularly through exposures known as the exposome, encompassing various factors like air quality, diet, stress, and social interactions. Recent research led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and INSERM has shed light on how these environmental exposures collectively influence immune regulation during childhood, which is crucial in the development of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.

Published in Environment International, the study highlights that high indoor air quality, proximity to natural spaces like lakes and green areas, nutritious diets, and robust social networks are associated with lower levels of inflammation and better-regulated immune responses in children. The research utilized data from the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) cohort, involving 845 children across six European countries, including the UK, France, Spain, Lithuania, Norway, and Greece.

The team examined 91 environmental factors experienced during pregnancy and early childhood, grouping them into categories such as outdoor pollution, proximity to natural spaces, indoor chemical exposures, lifestyle behaviors, and socioeconomic indicators. Blood samples from the children were analyzed across various biological layers, including white blood cell composition, plasma protein levels, and DNA methylation, to identify immune signatures associated with health outcomes.

Advanced statistical methods, like RGCCA, revealed three immune profiles linked to better health; two were characterized by lower inflammation markers in blood proteins, and one by a balanced immune cell profile. These beneficial signatures were correlated with environmental factors such as good indoor air quality, access to blue spaces, healthy eating habits, and higher social support.

The findings underscore the importance of improving environmental conditions and social environments in childhood as actionable strategies to promote healthier immune development. Enhancing indoor air quality, maintaining access to natural environments, encouraging nutritious diets, and fostering strong community bonds can mitigate immunotoxic effects and support long-term physical and mental health in children.

For more insights, see the full study by Ines Amine et al., published in Environment International, DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109668. This research emphasizes that early environmental interventions are vital in shaping a healthier future for children.