HHS HealthBeat (March 16, 2012)

Caring moms

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

The good things about having a caring mom may last a long time. Researchers say middle-aged people who recalled having a nurturing mother also reported having signs of better health.

The researchers looked at survey data on more than 1,200 people who were followed for at least 10 years. The researchers examined things that could affect diabetes or heart health, such as high blood pressure, belly fat and a bad cholesterol profile.

Researcher Margie Lachman of Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts:

``Those who reported having more nurturing mothers were healthier in adulthood. This was especially so for those who came from low socioeconomic backgrounds.’’  (8 seconds)

The study in the journal Psychological Science was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: March 19, 2012