London - The blessings of a happy and healthy childhood are still a benefit deep into middle age, a study has suggested.
Those who were well-off and fit as children are more likely to win promotion and do well throughout their careers than less favoured youngsters, it said.
The report was based on the records of more than 10,000 Whitehall civil servants whose progress has been tracked since the Eighties.
Children are most likely to enjoy good mental and physical health alongside financial and emotional security if they come from a family headed by married parents.
Princeton University academics Anne Case and Christina Paxson said there was “evidence that health and socio-economic status in childhood influences occupational status in adulthood.
“Adults who had better childhood health start at higher grades in the civil service on average, and are promoted to higher grades after they enter Whitehall.”
It added that results had been amended to take into account the advantages won from a good education. The researchers said: “Not only are poorer health and worse social circumstances in childhood associated with lower initial employment grade, but they are associated with a widening of earnings gaps over time.”
Previous studies have found the children most likely to do well are those from married families, which tend to have the most money and best health. - Daily Mail