Exposure to Famine in Early Childhood Increases the Odds of Edentulism in Adulthood: Results From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT Background This study examined the impact of early childhood exposure to China's 1959–1961 famine on the likelihood of adult edentulism. Methods We used data from 8209 adults surveyed in 2011–2012 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Logistic regression was used to analyze the odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of early starvation and edentulism in adulthood. Results Compared with unexposed individuals, famine‐exposed individuals had a significantly increased odds of edentulism. After adjustment for age, sex, location, severity, income, education, smoking, drinking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, and heart disease, the final ORs (95% CIs) were 2.097 (1.047, 4.355) for the foetal exposure group, 2.625 (1.245, 5.746) for the preschool group, and 3.907 (1.608, 9.726) for the school‐age exposure group. Conclusions Exposure to China's 1959–1961 famine during early childhood is associated with significantly increased odds of edentulism in adulthood, particularly among those exposed during school age (OR = 3.907; 95% CI: 1.608–9.726).