Adverse childhood experiences, health behaviors, and associations with obesity among youth in the United States.
Melissa SantosE Thomaseo BurtonAdelle CadieuxBethany GaffkaLaura ShafferJessica L CookJared M TuckerPublished in: Behavioral medicine (Washington, D.C.) (2022)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) affect almost half of youth in the U.S. and are linked to a host of deleterious medical and psychosocial outcomes. The current study examines the relationships among ACEs, childhood obesity, and modifiable lifestyle behaviors to inform clinical care, future research, and policy. Using data from the 2016-2018 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), associations between children's ACEs, weight status, and health behaviors that may influence the link between ACEs and obesity were examined. In the NSCH data, 25.3% of youth aged 10-17 years experienced one ACE with another 25.9% experiencing two or more ACEs. Having ACEs was related to excess screen time and inadequate sleep, and independently associated with obesity. Findings highlight the importance of providers screening and finding ways to intervene on behalf of youth with obesity. The present provides guidelines for providers on intervening with youth experiencing ACEs.
Keyphrases
- mental health
- weight loss
- physical activity
- metabolic syndrome
- healthcare
- insulin resistance
- young adults
- weight gain
- public health
- high fat diet induced
- type diabetes
- body mass index
- electronic health record
- health information
- cardiovascular disease
- palliative care
- adipose tissue
- skeletal muscle
- childhood cancer
- clinical practice
- big data
- quality improvement
- social media
- emergency department
- climate change
- adverse drug