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Adverse Childhood Experiences and Disordered Eating Behaviors Among US Children: Untangling the Developmental Sex
1Department of Sociology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|September 24, 2025
Summary
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) in children. Trauma-informed care considering sex and developmental stage is crucial for prevention and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
- Eating Disorder Research
Background:
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are recognized risk factors for various health issues.
- Disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) in children are complex and influenced by multiple factors.
- Understanding the interplay of ACEs, sex, and developmental stage in DEBs is critical for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the associations between ACEs and diverse DEBs in a national sample of US children.
- To investigate how sex and developmental stage jointly moderate the relationship between ACEs and DEBs.
- To identify specific ACE types and DEB patterns associated with increased risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2022-2023 National Survey of Children's Health (N=67,607).
- Employed latent class analysis to identify distinct DEB patterns.
- Applied multinomial logistic regression and average marginal effects to analyze associations and moderation by sex and developmental stage.
Main Results:
- 44% of children experienced at least one ACE.
- Four DEB classes were identified: Minimal Disordered Eating, Binge/Fasting Eating, Picky/Restrictive Eating, and Severe Mixed Dysregulation.
- Cumulative ACEs significantly increased the risk for all DEB subtypes, particularly Severe Mixed Dysregulation (RRR=1.70).
- Economic hardship, household mental illness, and health discrimination were associated with all DEB subtypes.
- Sex and developmental stage moderated these associations, with distinct patterns observed for boys and girls, especially concerning health discrimination in girls.
Conclusions:
- Findings underscore the need for trauma-informed and developmentally sensitive approaches in addressing DEBs.
- Interventions must consider sex-specific patterns and developmental stages.
- Girls entering middle-late adolescence show heightened vulnerability to eating dysregulation following ACE exposure, necessitating targeted support.
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