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Examining lifestyle factors as potential moderators of the link between childhood adversity and comorbid psychological distress and obesity in early adulthood
While it is well-established that childhood adversities contribute to mental, physical, and combined health issues in both childhood and later life, less is known about their impact during early adulthood. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether lifestyle habits can influence these risks. This study by Woofenden, Fairchild & Lancaster (2025) examines the impact of childhood adversities on psychological distress, obesity, and their co-occurrence in early adulthood, as well as whether lifestyle behaviors can modify these associations. Understanding this could reveal ways to reduce the harmful effects of childhood hardships, particularly in relation to mental-physical health combinations. The authors analyzed data from the British Cohort Study (1970, n = 16,407). Reports of adversity from parents and individuals (scored 0–33) across ages 0–16 were combined and used to predict psychological distress (Malaise Inventory score ≥8), obesity (BMI ≥30), and their co-occurrence at age 30. Lifestyle habits at age 16—physical activity, diet, sleep, smoking, and alcohol use—were assessed as potential moderators of the relationship between age and health outcomes. The authors discovered that each additional childhood adversity increased the odds of psychological distress, obesity, and combined mental-physical conditions. However, adversity was a weaker predictor of either psychological distress or obesity alone compared to comorbidity. None of the adolescent lifestyle factors significantly changed these relationships. The authors conclude that childhood adversity was a stronger predictor of comorbid mental and physical health difficulties in early adulthood than isolated circumstances, which is consistent with tendencies observed later in life. Lifestyle behaviors did not moderate these effects, underscoring the importance of focusing on comorbid outcomes when examining the long-term impact of early-life adversities and the need to seek effective protective strategies. [NPID: Lifestyle factors, childhood adversity, depressive symptoms, obesity, comorbidity]
Year: 2025
