Adverse Experiences, Protective Factors, and Obesity in Latinx and Hispanic Youths
Authors' conclusion
These findings highlight the clinical importance of early ACE screening to identify at-risk youths for targeted, trauma-informed weight management interventions, and gather support for the cultivation of resiliency-focused skills like self-coping and caregiver support. Pediatric obesity is a pressing public health issue, and these strategies hold potential to alter weight trajectories, which may improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.
Study context
- Population
- US youths aged 11 to 12 years in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study (year 2 data, July 2018 to March 2020); 2636 female (48.5%); mean age 143.1 months
- Participants
- 5,435 participants
- Exposure
- Latinx and Hispanic vs non-Hispanic youths; moderation of ACE–body mass index (BMI) association by youth-reported protective factors
- Latinx and Hispanicn = 1,141
- Outcome
- Moderation by self-reported protective factors of the association of ACEs with BMI in Latinx and Hispanic youths
Methodological detailspopulation-based, multisite (21 sites), secondary analysis of ABCD study year 2 data, Data analyzed between August 2024 and March 2025
- Population-based
- Multisite (21 sites)
- Secondary analysis of ABCD study year 2 data
- Data analyzed between August 2024 and March 2025
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Moderation of ACE–BMI association by protective factors, Latinx and Hispanic youths only
- Self-coping: β = −0.74; 95% CI, −1.03 to −0.46; P < .001
- Caregiver support: β = −0.38; 95% CI, −0.66 to −0.11; P = .006
- Overall protective score: β = −0.55; 95% CI, −0.61 to −0.06; P < .001
- Linear mixed-effects models controlling for confounders (eg, sex, age, puberty, SES)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean
| Outcome | Latinx and Hispanic | Non-Hispanic | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMI · ages 11 to 12 yearsGreater BMI in Latinx and Hispanic | 22.1 (SD 5.0) | 20.3 (SD 4.6) | P < 0.001 |
| ACEs · ages 11 to 12 yearsMore ACEs in Latinx and Hispanic | 2.1 (SD 1.7) | 1.7 (SD 1.7) | P < 0.001 |
Association of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with BMI, all youths
- BMI increase per 1.7-point (1 SD) increase in ACE score
- 0.431
Original publication
Adverse Experiences, Protective Factors, and Obesity in Latinx and Hispanic Youths. JAMA Netw Open. Published 1 December 2025. doi:10.
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