Childhood Conditions Predict Chronic Diseases and Functional Limitations Among Older Adults: The Case of Indonesia.

Limited knowledge exists about whether childhood health and socioeconomic status (SES) conditions influence health among older adults in Indonesia. Data from Wave 5 (2014/2015) of the Indonesian Family Life Survey ( = 6,530) was used to examine associations between childhood health and SES and hypertension, lung conditions, diabetes, lower body functional limitations (LBFL), and instrumental activities of daily living limitations (IADL). Poor childhood health was associated with 34% higher odds of hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, < .05), 37% higher odds of diabetes (OR = 1.37, < .05), and 32% higher odds of lung conditions (OR = 1.32, < .05). Household overcrowding was associated with 22% higher odds of a LBFL (OR = 1.22, < .05) and 24% higher odds of an IADL (OR = 1.24, < .01). Lacking a household toilet was associated with 18% higher odds of a LBFL (OR = 1.18, < .05). Adjusting for adult SES and current health did not account for these relationships. Childhood conditions appear to shape older adult health in Indonesia.