Criminal Legal System Involvement During Adolescence as a Social Determinant of Adulthood Body Mass Index?

A variety of environmental and genetic factors contribute to body mass index (BMI) over the life course, including experiences and events that occur during adolescence. One such experience that could shape early adulthood and adulthood BMI is criminal legal system (CLS) involvement before 18 years, which could influence dietary behaviors and socioeconomic outcomes. However, to date, no research has evaluated the association between CLS involvement before 18 years and BMI from 2003-2021.

The current study used a United States representative sample of 8,961 youths born between 1980 and 1984 (the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1997), to assess if being arrested before 18 years, incarcerated in juvenile facilities before 18 years, or incarcerated in adult facilities before 18 years influenced average BMI and the change in BMI over time during early adulthood and adulthood. Random intercept and random intercept growth curve models (with average treatment effects inverse probability weights) were estimated to answer the identified research questions.

Being arrested (b = -0.471; p < .001), incarcerated in a juvenile facility (b = -0.683; p < .001), or incarcerated in an adult facility (b = -1.168; p < .001) before 18 years was associated with lower yearly BMI from 2003 to 2021. Being arrested (b = -0.023; p < .001) or incarcerated in juvenile facility (b = -0.032; p < .001) before 18 years was associated with lower rate of increases in BMI over time.

The findings suggest that the collateral consequences of youth CLS contact could contribute to BMI disparities. Strategies should be implemented to identify and address the mechanisms driving the observed associations.