Abstract Body: Introduction: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are used as an indicator of childhood trauma. Two-thirds of the United States population has experienced at least one ACE. Research indicates there is a relationship between ACEs and unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and physical inactivity, that increase one’s risk for cardiovascular diseases. Very few studies have analyzed how ACEs impact dietary patterns, another risk factor for cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk for hypertension (HTN). This study aimed to explore how the number of ACEs experienced relates to dietary intake and HTN in an adult population in California.
Hypotheses: We hypothesized that ACEs will have a negative effect on dietary intake and that ACEs will increase the risk for HTN.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using 2020 California Health Interview Survey data. This sample included 21,463 participants, who were US adult citizens and California residents. To assess ACEs, HTN, and dietary intake, we utilized the ACE scale and survey items measuring self-reported HTN and fruit and vegetable intake. Study data was analyzed using chi-square tests, analysis of variances, and multinomial logistic regressions in STATA v.18.
Results: Study participants were majority female (57%), White (64%), and an average age of 52.5. Over 22.5% of the study participants reported four or more ACEs. Participants ate around nine fruits and nine vegetables per week. About one-third (32.09%) of study participants had been diagnosed with HTN, with another 8% being diagnosed with borderline HTN. The analysis revealed a relationship between HTN and ACEs [x²(8) = 16.12 p=0.041]. The analysis found a statistically significant association stating those with no ACEs ate more fruits and vegetables than those with 4+ ACEs (p = .002). There was a significant association between experiencing four or more ACEs with sex, age and race (p < .01).
Conclusions: The study findings indicated that having four or more ACEs is associated with poorer diet and risk of HTN in adults. The findings from this study may help inform future research about ACEs' and their impact on diet in adults. Our study also explored how covariates such as race, gender, and age are correlated with experiencing ACEs. Researchers can use these findings to create specific interventions for individuals with ACEs, focusing on how improving dietary patterns can be used to reduce the risk of poor cardiovascular outcomes.