| Summary: | Background: Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been associated with negative physical and psychological health impact throughout adult life. ACEs disturb regulatory bodily mechanisms and increase the likelihood of harmful behaviour. ACEs have, among other things, been associated with excessive weight gain in adulthood. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult body weight among Icelandic women, as defined by body mass index (BMI), obesity in particular. Methods: We used data from the nationwide SAGA cohort study and included 26,814 women residing in Iceland and are aged 18-69 years and who responded to questions on ACEs and body weight and height. We used self-reported weight and height to calculate BMI, and responses to WHO ACE-IQ to quantify exposure to thirteen different ACEs. Thirteen types of adverse childhood experiences were measured with the ACE-International Questionnaire. Body mass index was calculated from self-reports on weight and height (kg/m2). We used linear and logistic models to assess the association between number and types of ACEs and BMI (continuous) as well as obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) while adjusting for age, childhood deprivation, educational level, employment status, monthly income, marital status, smoking, and alcohol intake. Results: 28% of the women in this study had been exposed to four or more adverse experiences in childhood and 31% were living with obesity at the time the data was gathered. Linear regression indicated a statistically significant positive association between number of ACEs and BMI. The prevalence of obesity was 37% higher for those exposed to ≥4 ACEs compared to those unexposed to ACEs (PR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.29, 1.46). When adjusted for age, deprivation, socio-demographic and behavioural factors the association remained significant (PR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.15, 1.32). Three out of 13 ACEs had the strongest association with obesity in adulthood (age adjusted); bullying (PR = 1.52, 95% CI ...
|
|---|