Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Disordered Eating in US Youth: The PLATE Study

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Health
• Mental Health Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with various negative health outcomes.
• Disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) are a significant concern in youth populations.
• Understanding the interplay between ACEs and DEBs is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between specific ACEs and DEBs in US youth.
• To explore the mediating and moderating roles of psychosocial and contextual factors in these relationships.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 47,617 children aged 10-17 from the National Survey of Children's Health (2022-2023).
• Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to estimate ACE-DEB links.
• Structural equation modeling and interaction terms assessed mediation and moderation.

Main Results:

• Disordered eating behaviors were reported by 29% of youth.
• Household mental illness and economic insecurity showed the strongest associations with DEBs.
• Depression, anxiety, and food insecurity mediated the ACE-DEB links, while family resilience and shared meals offered protection, though this was diminished by adversity.

Conclusions:

• Household mental illness and financial hardship are significant risk factors for youth DEBs, often mediated by internalizing symptoms and food insecurity.
• Family and peer factors can influence risk, highlighting the need for trauma-informed, developmentally sensitive assessments.
• Early identification and prevention strategies for DEBs in youth should consider adversity exposure and contextual factors.