Children who are bullies, disobedient and prone to bunking off school are more likely to suffer chronic pain when they grow up, according to a study. (Read the full article here).

Researchers say their investigation found the same is true for any sort of behavioural problems, including stealing, lying and worrying, or children who are anti-social and restless.

The team from the University of Aberdeen and UCL’s Institute of Child Health in London say children with severe behavioural problems are at approximately double the risk of chronic widespread pain by the time they are 45 than children without such problems.

Lead author, Dr Dong Pang, an epidemiologist at the University of Aberdeen, says an early breakdown in the interaction between the nervous system and hormones may explain the link.

The study appears in the journal Rheumatology.