Associations between adverse childhood experiences and obesity among young US adults

We examined whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with obesity in young adulthood, and whether these associations differ by sex.

We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a nationally representative cohort of U.S. adolescents followed into adulthood (age 33-43 years) across five waves. Our sample included 5193 participants with measured anthropometrics at wave V (2016-18). Modified Poisson regression estimated risk ratios (RR) for general obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference >102 cm for males, >88 cm for females) associated with individual and cumulative ACEs, adjusting for baseline BMI, co-occurring ACEs, and sociodemographic covariates. Sex-stratified models assessed heterogeneity in effects.

Childhood physical abuse was independently associated with higher risk of general obesity, particularly among females (aRR: 1.23; 95 % CI: 1.05-1.45). Exposure to ≥ 4 ACEs was associated with increased risk of both general (aRR: 1.32; 95 % CI: 1.15-1.52) and abdominal obesity (aRR: 1.18; 95 % CI: 1.02-1.37), independent of childhood obesity.

ACEs, especially physical abuse and cumulative exposure, were linked to higher risk of obesity, suggesting that traumatic events may play an important role in young adulthood obesity, especially in females.