IS THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC BEHIND THE RISE IN AUTISM? A Glasses on the Head Moment…

IS THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC BEHIND THE RISE IN AUTISM?

A Glasses on the Head Moment

By Sean Kenniff, MD

www.healthapalooza.com

Sometimes we just don’t notice the obvious, even if we are scientists. This is a tale of two epidemics.

Forty years ago we were a lean and robust nation. But at some point during the 1970s, our bellies and backsides began to steadily balloon, and our weight gain accelerated through the eighties and nineties. Today, two thirds of all American adults are overweight or obese according to CDC statistics. Nowhere is the obesity epidemic causing more concern than in the delivery room. Many normal weight women become overweight or obese during their pregnancies, and roughly 30 percent of women are overweight or obese at the time of conception. Obesity, at any point during pregnancy, places the health of the mother and her unborn baby in serious jeopardy.

If you were born in the 1970s your chances of developing autism were pretty slim—about 4 in 10,000. Today, 1 in every 110 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This dramatic rise in the number of children with autism is partly due to improved diagnostic methods and more inclusive diagnostic criteria. However, even by conservative estimates, the number of children with autism has significantly increased since the 1980s. Addressing the most recent rise, Dr. Catherine Rice from the CDC suggested the data was perplexing.

“These new numbers are concerning, and indicate that even more individuals, families and communities are struggling to find answers,” Rice said.

But are researchers asking the right questions? These two modern epidemics—obesity and autism—seem to have evolved in parallel and during the same time period. Could obesity be fueling the rise in autism?

If you are starting to put the puzzle pieces together, congratulations. Because it appears scientists have yet to do so.

Somebody Must Have Studied This Already…Right?

Using Medline, the database of scientific studies maintained by the National Library of Medicine, a search for “pregnancy obesity and autism” yields just five results. A search for “maternal obesity and autism” yields twenty-one results. In both searches none of the studies cited directly examines the possibility of a link between prenatal obesity and autism. Not to be sexist, a search for “paternal obesity and autism” proves equally fruitless. By contrast, a search for “pregnancy obesity and hypertension” yields 802 scientific studies—many of which are direct investigations into a link, and a search for “pregnancy obesity and risks” yields 2588 studies.

Why hasn’t the connection between autism and obesity been explored? For one thing, autism is not a single disease, and as such, it probably does not have a single cause. A combination of genetics and environmental factors is thought to play a critical role in increasing the risk of autism. The risk of obesity is also heavily influenced by genetics and the environment, but psychological and emotional factors are thought to be equally significant. With two such unpredictable and multifaceted disorders, it is difficult to pinpoint any correlation, says Dr. Jacob Seligsohn, a primary care pediatrician who also specializes in childhood autism at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Pediatric Associates in Hollywood, Florida.  

“Autism is a very complex condition and simply two variables themselves—maternal obesity and autism—are hard to correlate with each other,” Dr. Seligsohn says.

Although the scientific evidence to support a link between obesity and autism is circumstantial, it is compelling. 

Though the World Health Organization does not track global statistics on autism, the available data suggests the world’s most overweight nations—namely the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia—also have the highest prevalence of autistic disorders. And across the world as the rates of obesity have risen, so have the rates of autism.

It is well known that maternal obesity can have a devastating impact on the baby’s developing nervous system. Obesity during pregnancy raises the risk of hydrocephalus—or “water on the brain”—by 60 percent and it doubles the risk of neural tube defects, like spina bifida and anencephaly.

The rate of diabetes during pregnancy has doubled in recent years, and the obesity epidemic is believed to be chiefly responsible for the increase. Gestational diabetes doubles the risk of autism according to 2009 a meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. It’s possible that the high blood sugar levels or growth factor disturbances seen with diabetes may adversely affect the developing brain.

A November 2009 study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found maternal obesity was associated with a two-fold increase in Attention Deficit Disorder in children. Interestingly the researchers found maternal obesity only increased the risk of inattentive behaviors in the children, not hyperactive behaviors. Most children with autism have difficulties maintaining attention.

It has also been recently discovered that obesity can impair the immune system, making expectant mothers more prone to infections. Infections during pregnancy—like CMV and rubella—can result in autistic behaviors in children.

Do Autism and Obesity Have a Common Enemy?

The sweetener high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was rapidly introduced into the U.S. food chain between 1975—1985. While HFCS has long been a suspect in causing, or contributing to the obesity epidemic, the sweetener has never been connected to autism. But two recent studies from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) are raising some concerns. In the first study almost half of the commercially available HFCS samples they examined tested positive for mercury. In the second study the researchers found mercury in one-third of 55 popular consumer products that listed HFCS as the first or second ingredient. While neither study identified the form of mercury detected, methylmercury is known to impair neural development in the developing fetus, and exposure to the heavy metal has been implicated as an autism risk in the past. More recent studies however suggest there is no link between autism and mercury.

Obesity recently surpassed smoking cigarettes as the nation’s leading cause of preventable disease. Obesity is known to raise the risk of at least 30 other conditions—including heart disease and several types of cancer. Having excess fat tissue alters metabolism, impairs the immune system, increases levels of inflammation, and often renders important hormones ineffective. Any of these physiological disturbances could pose a theoretical risk to the brain of a developing baby.

“Because so much is unknown about autism, any reasonable hypothesis is worth exploring in my opinion,” says, Dr. Hannah Gardener, a neurologist and researcher at the University of Miami. “The intra-uterine environment has profound effects on so many aspects of health throughout the lifecourse.”

It is true that autism existed long before the obesity epidemic, and most overweight or obese parents will never have a child diagnosed with autism. Conversely thousands of children born to normal weight parents will be diagnosed with autism this year. It is not likely that obesity is solely responsible for the increased rates of autism seen over the last three decades.

But have you ever been looking for your sunglasses, or reading glasses, only to find them sitting on the top of your head? I have, and now that’s the first place I check. The simultaneous evolution and parallel course of these two epidemics points to a connection that deserves to be investigated.

Sean Kenniff, MD is a neurologist, television health journalist, radio host and author living in Miami, Florida. He can be reached at 786-360-2705. 

Jacob Seligsohn, MD is a pediatrician in Hollywood, Florida. He can be reached at 954-966-8000, or by visiting the Pediatric Associates website at www.pediatricassociates.com 

Dr. Hannah Gardener is a neurologist and researcher at the University of Miami. She can be reached at 305-243-9283, or by visiting the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Website at www.med.miami.edu

The “I Do” Blues: Postnuptial Depression

THE “I DO” BLUES: Postnuptial Depression

By Sean Kenniff, MD

  A wedding is usually one of the most joyous days in a young couple’s life; a time to celebrate love and hope for a lifetime of happiness. But for some newlyweds the big day is soon followed by a big letdown. 

  “It should be described as the day the prince falls off his horse, and we change from girls into women,” one blogger writes. 

  “What begins the day after marriage? Misery,” replies another. 

  In many cases once the honeymoon is over, humdrum reality sets in, and that can leave unprepared couples coping with postnuptial depression-also called the ‘I Do Blues’. 

  “Building a happy, productive partnership is not easy.  The unrealistic expectations set up by our culture, media images of connubial bliss, romantic novels and song lyrics soon prove to be impossible to create, and reality then sets in,” says Dr. Tina Tessina.

  Dr. Tessina, better known as “Dr. Romance,” is a distinguished California psychotherapist and author of the book, Money Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage. She says both men and women are at risk of postnuptial depression, because their expectations are often out of step with day-to-day marital life. 

  “Any situation in which the expectations are unrealistic can be considered a ‘set up’ for disappointment, which some people experience as depression,” she says. 

  In the months leading up to the wedding day the bride and groom often become the gravitational center of activity for family and friends. Some couples, especially the brides-to-be, spend so much time planning a wedding that they often fail to plan a survival strategy for the days afterwards; and when the wedding day spotlight disappears, so can a sense of purpose.  

  “People who are emotionally resilient rise to this challenge and work together to solve the problems and improve the relationship.  Those who are not resilient sink into despair and depression, and stop trying,” Dr. Tessina says. 

Signs of postnuptial depression may include

• 1. Lack of energy
• 2. Emotional withdrawal
• 3. Lack of sexual intimacy
• 4. Feelings of hopelessness, or despair
• 5. Frequent crying
• 6. Sleeplessness

  Roughly half of all U.S. marriages end in divorce, so it is normal to have some reservations about the sustainability of a new marriage, or suitability of a new spouse. It’s also difficult for some to move from the ‘me’ mindset of being single, to the ‘we’ mindset of being married. Unfortunately few people want to talk about postnuptial depression for fear it might trigger some trouble-in-paradise rumors, but experts say couples should communicate their difficulties to each other, and a professional. Antidepressant medications can help in severe cases, but most cases of postnuptial depression can be treated effectively with psychological therapy.

  “Counseling will also help you handle situations more effectively,” Dr. Tessina says, “and help you not create more drama and dysfunction in the relationship. “ 

  The best way to avoid postnuptial depression is through careful planning and maintaining perspective. First try not to put overblown significance on the wedding day. Certainly it is an important day, but it is still just another day. Before the big day it may help to delegate wedding responsibilities wherever you can, think about having a less lavish reception, try to avoid obsessions or being a perfectionist, and talk to friends and family about your stress. 

  It’s important to remember loving relationships are like flowers; they blossom quickly, need constant care and change with the seasons. Just watch out for the thorns and expect bees. 

Sean Kenniff, MD is a neurologist, radio host, and television journalist in Miami, Florida. 

Tina B. Tessina, PhD, also known as ‘Dr.Romance’, is a licensed psychotherapist in Southern California with over 30 years of experience counseling couples and individuals. She is the author of thirteen books on relationships including Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Squabbling About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage. Dr. Tessina also writes the Dr. Romance blog, and is a Relationships Expert for Redbook Love Network, Divorce360.com, and she answers relationship questions at Yahoo! Personals. She can be reached by visiting her website  http://www.tinatessina.com

What is Worse? This or That?

What’s Worse, This or That?

by Sean Kenniff, MD 

What is worse: being obese or suffering from anorexia nervosa? 

Statistics show anorexia nervosa has the highest fatality rate of any psychological disorder. Up to twenty-percent of those affected will die from the condition if left untreated, and roughly three-percent die even with therapy. Obesity also kills, but much more slowly. The mortality rate for people suffering from anorexia nervosa is higher, and they tend to die at much younger ages when compared to an obese people of the same age. For an obese twenty-five-year old woman the risk of dying is around 0.1%.

What is worse for parents with children: Having a gun in the house, or a swimming pool in the backyard?

In the book Freakonomics by economist Steven Leavitt, statistical analysis reveals that having a swimming pool is roughly 100-times more risky than having a gun in the house. According to Leavitt there are 6-million residential swimming pools in the U.S., and more than 500 children drown in them each year-so roughly one child drowns for every 11,000 swimming pools. Meanwhile there are more than 200-million guns in the U.S., but fewer than 200 deaths in children under the age of ten are due to firearms. Simple math tells you that the risk of having a gun in the home is just 1-child death for every 1-million guns.

What is worse: smoking marijuana cigarettes, or smoking tobacco cigarettes?

This question appeared in an editorial in the British Medical Journal in 2003. From a legal point of view marijuana is certainly worse. But when it comes to your health tobacco cigarettes are a much bigger risk. Two large studies failed to find an increased risk of death associated with cannabis use. While there are plenty of carcinogens in marijuana smoke, people do not tend to chain-smoke the drug-so the overall exposure to those carcinogens is much less. And most marijuana smokers cease smoking the drug in early adulthood. Cigarettes pose a much larger personal and public health risk. However this conclusion comes with a caveat: perhaps the main reason people stop smoking marijuana after a certain age is because of its illegality. As we age we are less likely to commit these kinds of criminal activities. Decriminalization of marijuana may lead to more prolonged smoking and perhaps more deaths. But overall cigarettes are much worse. In the United States tobacco use contributes to roughly 1-in-5 deaths.

What is worse: being married and miserable, or happy and single? 

Research shows happily married couples live longer than singles, and the health benefit of being in a happy marriage is more profound for men than it is for women. People in positive marital relationships have lower blood pressures and reduced levels of stress hormones when compared to unhappily married couples. And a recent study from BYU researchers found unhappily married people have a higher blood pressure, and higher stress hormones than happy singles and happily married folks. So being unhappily married appears to pose the biggest risk to your health. But before you think about heading to divorce court, several studies have shown divorce can increase the risk of death. So try to make your marriage a happy one. 

It’s also important to mention that overall never-married people face the highest risk of death (unhappy and happy singles combined). A study published in 2006 found never-married people faced 5-times the risk of dying from infectious diseases, were 38-percent more likely to die from heart disease, and faced twice the risk of dying from an accident, homicide, or suicide.

What is worse: air pollution or being exposed to second-hand smoke?

Air pollution from industrial pollutants and motor vehicles accounts for 3% of all U.S. deaths according to an article in the European Respiratory Journal. A study from University of Southern California in 2007 found children living near a major highway (within 500 meters) were more likely to have asthma, other respiratory diseases, and were more likely to have reduced lung function and reduced lung growth. Living close to a busy highway has also been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and some cancers. Air pollution alone causes between 22,000 and 55,000 deaths each year in the U.S. according to government statistics, but the National Resources Defenses Council says air pollution is responsible for 64,000 deaths each year. Particulate matter and benzene are thought to be playing the largest role in causing the health problems. 20-million Americans live under air pollution that contains more than 32 toxins at levels 100 times higher than the EPA deems acceptable. The World Health Organization says worldwide there are 2-million deaths due to air pollution each year. So how does second-hand smoke compare? The American Cancer Society estimates exposure to second-hand smoke causes roughly 3400 lung cancer deaths and between 22,000 and 69,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease each year in the U.S. There are approximately 21-million American children (35%) living in homes where they are exposed to second-hand smoke. So the numbers turn out to be roughly the same.

Prescription for More Sex, More Often

More Sex, More Often

by Sean Kenniff, MD

   For many couples sex that used to sizzle starts to fizzle. In the U.S. the average married couple has sex fifty-eight times a year-that’s just a little bit more than once a week-and many couples have much less than that. Good communication is essential for all healthy relationships, but seduction may be as important-and many long-term lovers have simply forgotten all about the art of seduction. 

These are the Seven Surefire Secrets to Seduction that promise to cure that bedroom boredom.

#1 Tell your lover a sexy bedtime story

Experts often say the brain is the most powerful sexual organ in the body and one good way to engage it is with fantasy. So conjure up a story and share it with your lover at bedtime. It can be about a princess, a pirate, or a real person. Tell your lover how you want to be pleased or how you intend to please them. Just don’t hold back! Getting graphic really gets the brain going. 

#2 Say it, before you do it

Like professional athletes who visualize victories, the brain must be primed before the body can perform. It could be a breathy phone call at work, a dirty note left inside a purse or a briefcase, or just a racy text message. For some people the anticipation of sex can be nearly as rewarding as the act itself. So build anticipation and let the momentum take care of the rest. 

#3 Bedtime is adult playtime

There are plenty of toys and adult themed games on the market, but sometimes it’s better to get creative with the games you might already have around the home-plus they’re a lot more discreet. So try playing a few hands of strip poker, give naked Twister a spin, or just tickle your funny-bone with a game of erotic Operation. Just roll the dice and use your imagination.

#4 Set the scene and look the part

If you want an Oscar-worthy performance set a scene that engages as many of the five senses as possible. So try some dim lighting, scented candles, delicious finger foods, wine, feathers, satin sheets, fluffy pillows, rose petals or romantic music. Use many of these sense stimulators in combination. And don’t forget to touch your lover often. Touch is perhaps the most primal of the five senses. Shower, shave, and dress the part.

#5 Just do it

Call it the ‘Nike Philosophy’: even if it seems monotonous experts say making love on a regular basis is critical to sustaining a healthy sexual relationship. Once couples stop having regular romps it is often difficult to get back to previous levels of activity. It’s like going to the gym: the hard part is getting there, but once you start sweating it is always well worth the trouble.

#6 Have a naughty night out

Forget date night! Instead try a naughty night out. Maybe take your partner to a striptease, an adult toy store, a theme room at a motel, or even the back seat of your car. Pretend to meet in a bar and pick each other up all over again. Basically if it feels like you are doing something wrong you probably have the right idea.

#7 Novelty

Break life’s monotony by adding everyday novelty. The brain responds to novel situations with increased awareness and heightened senses. Changing your routine by doing different things throughout the day also raises levels of feel good neurochemicals in both men and women.

It’s important to remember that a lack of sexual desire or inability to perform sexual activity can sometimes be a sign of a serious psychological or medical condition. So if you want to have more sex, more often, but are physically unable to do so, make sure you discuss the problems candidly with your doctor.

What is Your Health Horoscope?

What is Your Health Horoscope?

By Sean Kenniff, MD

  The secret to living a longer and healthier life may not be as simple as eating a balanced diet and getting a lot of exercise. Recent research suggests your ‘health horoscope’ may be increasing or decreasing your odds of developing diseases. First-born children in large families tend to live the longest. In fact first-born children are 2-3 times more likely to reach age 100 than later-born children. Babies born to younger mothers may also enjoy an increased lifespan according to some reports. People living in rural environments tend to live longer than those living in urban and suburban environments. Some studies have even concluded that you are more likely to die near your birthday, or in the three months following it. Stress is believed to play a role. So what does your birthday say about your health risks?

JANUARY

Children conceived in the spring and summer months, and born from January through March may be at increased risk of birth defects according to a large U.S. study. In-utero exposure to pesticide residues during the warmer months may be playing a role.

A 2004 study published in the journal Neurology found people born during January and February are at the highest risk for developing malignant and benign brain tumors. Those born in the summer months of July and August had the lowest risk.

Women born in the first 6-months of the year might have a higher risk of developing breast cancer according to a report published in Oncology Reports.

People born in January and December have the highest lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and narcolepsy. Those born during the spring and summer months are less likely to develop these conditions.

Lower air temperature at birth has been associated with the development of increased insulin resistance and increased triglycerides as adults. So U.S. babies born during the colder winter months may be at an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease earlier in life.

February

Children conceived in the spring and summer months, and born from January through March may be at increased risk of birth defects according to a large U.S. study. In-utero exposure to pesticide residues during the warmer months may be playing a role.

Lower air temperature at birth has been associated with the development of increased insulin resistance and increased triglycerides as adults. So U.S. babies born during the colder winter months may be at an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease earlier in life.

Women born in the first 6-months of the year might have a higher risk of developing breast cancer according to a report published in Oncology Reports.

A 2004 study published in the journal Neurology found people born during January and February are at the highest risk for developing malignant and benign brain tumors. Those born in the summer months of July and August had the lowest risk.

Studies have shown people born in February and March (late winter to early spring in the northern hemisphere) are more prone to develop schizophrenia. But the difference is small, about a 10% increase compared to the lowest risk months (September and August). It’s been proposed that a lack of sunlight during these months may result in a vitamin-D deficiency. A lack of adequate vitamin-D in a newborn, or a pregnant mother might influence a child’s brain development.

March

Studies have shown people born in February until March (late winter to early spring in the northern hemisphere are more prone to develop schizophrenia. But the difference is small, about a 10% increase compared to the lowest risk months (September and August). It’s been proposed that a lack of sunlight during these months may result in a vitamin-D deficiency. A lack of adequate vitamin-D in a newborn, or a pregnant mother might influence a child’s brain development.

People born in the spring months tend to have the shortest lifespans, about 5-months shorter than those born during the autumn months according to a study of 15-million U.S. death certificates.

Women born in the first 6-months of the year might have a higher risk of developing breast cancer according to a report published in Oncology Reports.

Italian researchers claim that women born in March are more likely to go through menopause earlier than women born in the fall months. On average, women in the study who were born in March went through menopause at age 48-years and 9-months, whereas women born in October went through menopause 18-months later (age 50-years and 3-months).

Children conceived in the spring and summer months, and born from January through March may be at increased risk of birth defects according to a large U.S. study. In-utero exposure to pesticide residues during the warmer months may be playing a role.

April

A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry examined data from nearly 27-thousand suicides over a 22-year period and found people born during April, May, and June are 17% more likely to commit suicide. The increased risk was higher for women (29.6%) compared to men (13.7%). It’s possible that seasonal hormone fluctuations in pregnant women may influence the developing fetal brain.

A U.S. team of researchers found children conceived during the spring and summer months are more likely to be born with birth defects including cleft lip and palate, club foot, Down Syndrome, and spina bifida. Increased exposure to pesticides may be playing a role the researchers said.

People born in the spring months tend to have the shortest lifespan, about 5-months shorter than those born during the autumn months according to a study of 15-million U.S. death certificates.

Women born in the first 6-months of the year might have a higher risk of developing breast cancer according to a report published in Oncology Reports.

People born during the spring and summer months are more at risk for alcohol dependence, autism, and dyslexia, but are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and narcolepsy.

May

People born in the spring months tend to have the shortest lifespan, about 5-months shorter than those born during the autumn months according to a study of 15-million U.S. death certificates.

A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry examined data from nearly 27-thousand suicides over a 22-year period and found people born during April, May, and June are 17% more likely to commit suicide. The increased risk was higher for women (29.6%) compared to men (13.7%). It’s possible that seasonal hormone fluctuations in pregnant women may influence the developing fetal brain.

People born during the spring and summer months are more at risk for alcohol dependence, autism, and dyslexia, but are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and narcolepsy.

Women born in the first 6-months of the year might have a higher risk of developing breast cancer according to a report published in Oncology Reports.

A U.S. team of researchers found children conceived during the spring and summer months are more likely to be born with birth defects including cleft lip and palate, club foot, Down Syndrome, and spina bifida. Increased exposure to pesticides may be playing a role the researchers said.

Babies born in May have the highest risk of developing multiple sclerosis as adults according to a 2004 study published in the British Medical Journal.

Children born in May and November are the least likely to develop Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).

June

A U.S. team of researchers found children conceived during the spring and summer months are more likely to be born with birth defects including cleft lip and palate, club foot, Down Syndrome, and spina bifida. Increased exposure to pesticides may be playing a role the researchers said.

A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry examined data from nearly 27-thousand suicides over a 22-year period and found people born during April, May, and June are 17% more likely to commit suicide. The increased risk was higher for women (29.6%) compared to men (13.7%). It’s possible that seasonal hormone fluctuations in pregnant women may influence the developing fetal brain.

People born during the spring and summer months are more at risk for alcohol dependence, autism, and dyslexia, but are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and narcolepsy.

Being born in June, April or May is associated with the shortest overall life expectancy.

Women born in the first 6-months of the year might have a higher risk of developing breast cancer according to a report published in Oncology Reports.

July

A U.S. team of researchers found children conceived during the spring and summer months are more likely to be born with birth defects including cleft lip and palate, club foot, Down Syndrome, and spina bifida. Increased exposure to pesticides may be playing a role the researchers said.

Women born in the second half of the year have the lowest lifetime risk of developing breast cancer according to a 2000 study in Oncology Reports.

People born during July and August have the lowest risk of developing benign and malignant brain tumors according to a 2004 study published in the journal Neurology.

People born during the spring and summer months are more at risk for alcohol dependence, autism, and dyslexia, but are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and narcolepsy.

August

People born in August and September have the lowest lifetime risk of schizophrenia. People born during February and March have the highest risk.

People born during July and August have the lowest risk of developing benign and malignant brain tumors according to a 2004 study published in the journal Neurology.

Children born in August may be at an increased risk of developing a form of childhood leukemia called ALL. The other peak risk is in February and the increased risk may be related to peaks in infectious diseases.

Women born in the second half of the year have the lowest lifetime risk of developing breast cancer according to a 2000 study in Oncology Reports.

People born during the spring and summer months are more at risk for alcohol dependence, autism, and dyslexia, but are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and narcolepsy.

September

People born in August and September have the lowest lifetime risk of schizophrenia. People born during February and March have the highest risk.

September, October, and November babies have the highest risk of developing asthma according to some studies.

Women born in the second half of the year have the lowest lifetime risk of developing breast cancer according to a 2000 study in Oncology Reports.

People born from September to December may be more prone to developing panic disorder later in life.

October

People born in the autumn months of October and November are most likely to live the longest. A study of 15 million U.S. death certificates published in 1997 found on average people will live roughly five months longer if born in one of these two fall months.

Women born in the second half of the year have the lowest lifetime risk of developing breast cancer according to a 2000 study in Oncology Reports.

People born from September to December may be more prone to developing panic disorder later in life.

September, October, and November babies have the highest risk of developing asthma according to some studies.

Women born in October are also most likely to stay fertile the longest. A study conducted by Italian researchers found women born in October experienced menopause at 50-years, 3-months. Women born in March experienced menopause the earliest at age 48-years and 9-months.

November

People born in the autumn months of October and November are most likely to live the longest. A study of 15 million U.S. death certificates published in 1997 found on average people will live roughly five months longer if born in one of these two fall months.

Women born in the second half of the year have the lowest lifetime risk of developing breast cancer according to a 2000 study in Oncology Reports.

Babies born in November are least likely to develop multiple sclerosis according to a 2004 report in the British Medical Journal.

People born from September to December may be more prone to developing panic disorder.

September, October, and November babies have the highest risk of developing asthma according to some studies.

Children born in May and November may be at the lowest risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

December

Babies born in December have a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis later in life, but November had the lowest risk.

Women born in the second half of the year have the lowest lifetime risk of developing breast cancer according to a 2000 study in Oncology Reports.

People born in December are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, narcolepsy. People born during the spring and summer months had the lowest risk of these diseases.

Lower air temperature at birth has been associated with the development of increased insulin resistance, coronary artery disease and increased triglycerides as adults. So U.S. babies born during the colder winter months may be at an increased risk of having heart attacks earlier in life.

People born from September to December may be more prone to developing panic disorder later in life.