University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
J Health Soc Behav. 2021 Jun;62(2):152-169. doi: 10.1177/00221465211005419. Epub 2021 Apr 15.
Prior research reveals that negative early-life experiences play a major role in the development of obesity in later life, but few studies identify mechanisms that alter the lifetime risk of obesity. This study examines the influence of negative childhood experiences on body mass index (BMI) and obesity (BMI ≥30) during older adulthood and the psychosocial and behavioral pathways involved. Using a nationally representative sample, we examine the influence of cumulative misfortune as well as five separate domains of misfortune on BMI and obesity. Results show that four of the five domains are associated with BMI and obesity either directly, indirectly, or both. The influence of cumulative misfortune on the outcomes is mediated by three adult factors: socioeconomic status, depressive symptoms, and physical activity. The mediators identified here provide targets for intervention among older adults to help offset the health risks of excess BMI attributable of early-life exposure to misfortune.
先前的研究表明，负面的早期生活经历在晚年肥胖的发展中起着重要作用，但很少有研究确定改变肥胖终身风险的机制。本研究探讨了负面童年经历对老年人身体质量指数（BMI）和肥胖（BMI≥30）的影响，以及涉及的心理社会和行为途径。我们使用全国代表性样本，研究了累积不幸以及不幸的五个不同领域对 BMI 和肥胖的影响。结果表明，五个领域中的四个直接或间接与 BMI 和肥胖相关。累积不幸对结果的影响是通过三个成人因素来调节的：社会经济地位、抑郁症状和身体活动。这里确定的中介因素为干预老年人提供了目标，以帮助抵消因早期生活中遭遇不幸而导致的 BMI 过高带来的健康风险。
