Adverse childhood experiences and appetitive traits in adolescence: A prospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Greater ACE exposure was associated with appetitive traits that increase obesity risk, suggesting that these traits may contribute to explaining the association between ACEs and obesity.
Study context
- Population
- Children from the Generation XXI cohort; Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) assessed at age 10 (self-administered questionnaire, 15 experiences); appetitive traits at age 13 (Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, parent-completed)
- Participants
- 4,118 children
- Exposure
- ACE exposure categories vs 0 ACEs
- Outcome
- Appetitive traits (Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire)
- Follow-up
- Age 13
Methodological detailspopulation-based birth cohort (Generation XXI), multivariable linear regression adjusted for sociodemographic factors
- Population-based birth cohort (Generation XXI)
- Multivariable linear regression adjusted for sociodemographic factors
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Appetitive traits
β
0.19
95% CI 0.06–0.31
Enjoyment of Food; higher with ≥6 ACEs
β
0.13
95% CI 0.01–0.25
Emotional Undereating; higher with ≥6 ACEs
β
−0.19
95% CI −0.32 to −0.06
Slowness in Eating; lower with ≥6 ACEs
- Reported at least one ACE
- 96%
- Reported ≥6 ACEs
- 26%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Appetitive traits by ACE dimensions (component analysis) · age 13
- More consistent associations with food approach traits
Original publication
Adverse childhood experiences and appetitive traits in adolescence: A prospective cohort study. Pediatr Obes. Published 8 May 2025. doi:10.
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