Early childhood obesity has been and continues to be an important issue (see our recent posts). We’ve received feedback that while improving nutrition and activity in children and adults is part of the solution, it may not be all there is to it. No one would argue that it’s easy to change a person’s lifestyle, but evidence points to the fact that we need to start earlier to better prevent obesity.
The CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study started in 1995 with 17,000 participants and these individuals continue to be studied over time. The study asked individuals about their childhood experiences and analyzed their health. Adverse Childhood Experiences include child abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Ten different subcategories of traumatic stressors were identified and the results demonstrated that as an individual’s number of ACE increased, their risk for numerous health and lifestyle problems increased. One of the health problems that correlated with ACE is obesity.
The ACE Study shows us that while we’re sending messages to parents, community leaders, politicians, and health care providers to get moving and eat well, we must also consider the very basics of family life. Our anti-obesity measures and overall health strategies need to include ways to strengthen families and nurture very young children. No social or health problem is isolated, and we must consider the entire family if we wish to grow young children into healthy adults.
The CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study started in 1995 with 17,000 participants and these individuals continue to be studied over time. The study asked individuals about their childhood experiences and analyzed their health. Adverse Childhood Experiences include child abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Ten different subcategories of traumatic stressors were identified and the results demonstrated that as an individual’s number of ACE increased, their risk for numerous health and lifestyle problems increased. One of the health problems that correlated with ACE is obesity.
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| CDC Pyramid Credit |
The ACE Study shows us that while we’re sending messages to parents, community leaders, politicians, and health care providers to get moving and eat well, we must also consider the very basics of family life. Our anti-obesity measures and overall health strategies need to include ways to strengthen families and nurture very young children. No social or health problem is isolated, and we must consider the entire family if we wish to grow young children into healthy adults.
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