Children from financially disadvantaged households and Maori and Pasifika had highest prevalence of nearly all types of adverse experiences
Children with traumatic experiences in
their early lives have a higher risk of obesity. But as new research from the
University of Auckland shows, this risk can be reduced through positive
experiences.
Childhood traumatic experiences are
alarmingly common. The analysis of data from nearly 5,000 children in the
growing up in New Zealand revealed that almost nine out of ten (87%) faced at
least one significant source of trauma by the time they were eight years old.
Multiple adverse experiences were also
prevalent, with one in three children (32%) experiencing at least three
traumatic events.
Childhood trauma includes a range of
experiences such as physical and emotional abuse, peer bullying and exposure to
domestic violence. It also includes parental substance abuse, mental illness,
incarceration, separation or divorce and ethnic discrimination.
It was found that children from
financially disadvantaged households and Maori and Pasifika had the highest
prevalence of nearly all types of adverse experiences, as well as higher
overall numbers of adversities.
The consequences of these experiences were
far-reaching. Children who experienced at least one adverse event were twice as
likely to be obese by age eight. The risk increased with the number of
traumatic experiences. Children with four or more adverse experiences were
nearly three times more likely to be obese.
Notably, certain traumatic experiences
(including physical abuse and parental domestic violence) related more strongly
to obesity than others. This highlights the strong connection between
early-life adversity and physical health outcomes.
Connecting trauma to obesity
One potential explanation could be that
the accumulation of early stress in children’s family, school and social
environments is associated with greater psychological distress. This in turn
makes children more likely to adopt unhealthy weight-related behaviours.
This includes consuming excessive
high-calorie “comfort” foods such as fast food and sugary drinks, inadequate
intake of nutritious foods, poor sleep, excessive screen time and physical
inactivity. In the research, children who experienced adverse events were more
likely to adopt these unhealthy behaviours. These, in turn, were associated with
a higher risk of obesity.
Despite these challenges, the study also
explored a promising area: the protective and mitigating effects of positive
experiences.
Positive experiences were defined as:
Parents in a committed relationship
Mothers interacting well with their
children
Mothers involved in social groups
Children engaged in enriching experiences
and activities such as visiting libraries or museums and participating in
sports and community events
Children living in households with
routines and rules, including those regulating bedtime, screen time and
meal-times
Children attending effective early
childhood education.
The findings were encouraging. Children
with more positive experiences were significantly less likely to be obese by
age eight.
For example, those with five or six
positive experiences were 60% less likely to be overweight or obese compared to
children with zero or one positive experience. Even two positive experiences
reduced the likelihood by 25%.
How positive experiences counteract trauma
Positive experiences can help mitigate the
negative effects of childhood trauma. But a minimum of four positive
experiences was required to significantly counteract the impact of adverse
events.
While nearly half (48%) of the study
participants had at least four positive experiences, a concerning proportion
(more than one in ten children) reported zero or only one positive experience.
The implications are clear. Traditional
weight-loss programmes focused solely on changing behaviours are not enough to
tackle childhood obesity. To create lasting change, we must also address the
social environments, life experiences and emotional scars of early trauma
shaping children’s lives.
Fostering positive experiences is a vital
part of this holistic approach. These experiences not only help protect
children from the harmful effects of adversity but also promote their overall
physical and mental well being. This isn’t just about preventing obesity – it’s
about giving children the foundation to thrive and reach their full potential.
Creating supportive environments for
vulnerable children
Policymakers, schools and families all
have a role to play. Community-based programmes, such as after-school
activities, healthy relationship initiatives and mental health services should
be prioritised to support vulnerable families.
Trauma-informed care is crucial,
particularly for children from disadvantaged households who face higher levels
of adversity and fewer positive experiences. Trauma-informed approaches are
especially crucial for addressing the effects of domestic violence and other
adverse childhood experiences.
Comprehensive strategies should prioritise
both safety and emotional healing by equipping families with tools to create
safe, nurturing environments and providing access to mental health services and
community support initiatives.
At the family level, parents can establish
stable routines, participate in social networks and engage children in
enriching activities. Schools and early-childhood education providers also play
a key role in fostering supportive environments that help children build
resilience and recover from trauma.
Policymakers should invest in resources
that promote positive experiences across communities, addressing inequalities
that leave some children more vulnerable than others. By creating nurturing
environments, we can counterbalance the impacts of trauma and help children
lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
When positive experiences outweigh
negative ones, children have a far greater chance of thriving – physically,
emotionally and socially.
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