The consequences for adolescent health due to early life exposure to natural
disasters combined with war are not known. We collected data from adolescents
aged 12-13 years in Sri Lanka whose mothers were pregnant during the Indian
Ocean tsunami in 2004 in a tsunami-affected region (n = 22), conflict-affected
region (n = 35), conflict-plus-tsunami-affected region (n = 29), or controls in
areas unaffected by either (n = 24). Adjusted body mass index (BMI)-for-age
z-scores were 1.3, 1.0 and 2.0 for conflict, tsunami, and conflict-plus-tsunami,
respectively, compared with the control group. Greater skinfold thickness and
higher diastolic blood pressure were found in adolescents born in the conflict
zone but no differences were found in height, head circumference, and waist
circumference, or blood results, with the exception of serum insulin. Being born
after a natural disaster or during conflict was associated with increased BMI
and body fat during adolescent, which are associated with longer-term risk of
noncommunicable disease.