NCJ Number
238307
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2012 Pages: 84-94
Date Published
February 2012
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between the frequency of childhood maltreatment and the rate of change in adolescent obesity from childhood through young adulthood.
Abstract
Findings from the study indicate that children who experienced childhood maltreatment had BMIs (body mass indexes) that increased at a faster average rate than children who experienced no childhood maltreatment, and that the presence of both childhood neglect and physical abuse was related to higher BMI levels at the beginning of the study. In addition, the findings indicate that other childhood maltreatment variables such as parental obesity, level of parental education, and family income are associated with both increased BMIs at baseline and increased rates of change in BMIs over time. This study examined the relationship between the presence and frequency of childhood maltreatment on levels of adolescent obesity. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of participants (n=8,471) in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health for the years 1995-2008. Latent curve modeling was used to examine the association between childhood maltreatment and increased rates of change in adolescent obesity. The study found that the presence of childhood maltreatment was significantly associated with increased rates of growth in obesity for adolescents and young adults. Suggestions for future research are discussed. Tables, figures, and references