Adverse childhood experiences and appetitive traits in adolescence: A prospective cohort study

To explore the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and appetitive traits in adolescence.

Participants were 4118 children from the Generation XXI cohort. ACEs were assessed at age 10 with a self-administered questionnaire covering 15 different experiences and analysed by exposure categories (0, 1-3, 4-5 and ≥6) and dimensions identified through component analysis. Appetitive traits at age 13 were measured with the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, completed by parents. Multivariable linear regression analysis, adjusted for sociodemographic factors, was used.

Ninety-six percent reported at least one ACE, with 26% reporting ≥6. Those who reported at least one ACE had higher scores on food approach traits, indicative of an avid appetite. A dose-response relationship was observed between the number of ACEs and Food Responsiveness, Emotional Overeating and Desire to Drink. Participants with ≥6 ACEs scored higher on Enjoyment of Food ( $\hat{\beta }$ = 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.06, 0.31]) and Emotional Undereating ( $\hat{\beta }$ = 0.13, 95% CI [0.01, 0.25]), and lower on Slowness in Eating ( $\hat{\beta }$  = -0.19, 95%CI [-0.32, -0.06]). Analysis by ACEs dimensions revealed more consistent associations with food approach traits.

Greater ACE exposure was associated with appetitive traits that increase obesity risk, suggesting that these traits may contribute to explaining the association between ACEs and obesity.