Adverse childhood experiences and food insecurity in emerging adulthood: findings from the EAT 2010-2018 study

Objective:Low childhood socio-economic status (SES) and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are associated with poor health outcomes in adulthood. Determining how ACE may be linked to food insecurity among young people from socio-economically diverse households can inform health-protective strategies. This study examined if ACE are associated with food insecurity during the transition to adulthood and investigated prevalence differences across SES strata. Setting:Participants were recruited from twenty secondary schools in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Participants:The analytic sample (n 1518) completed classroom surveys in 2009-2010 (mean age = 14 & BULL;5 years) and follow-up surveys in 2017-2018 (mean age = 22 & BULL;0 years). Design:Past-year food insecurity was reported at both time points, and ACE were reported at follow-up. Logistic regression models were used to estimate emerging adult food insecurity prevalence by ACE exposure; models were stratified by childhood SES (low, middle and high). Results:The adjusted prevalence of food insecurity was 45 & BULL;3 % among emerging adults who reported three or more ACE compared with 23 & BULL;6 % among those with one or two ACE and 15 & BULL;5 % among those with no ACE (P < 0 & BULL;001). All forms of ACE were related to an elevated prevalence of food insecurity in emerging adulthood. ACE-food insecurity associations were strongest for emerging adults from lower and middle SES households. Among emerging adults from low SES households, childhood experiences of emotional abuse and substance use by a household member were associated with the largest prevalence differences in food insecurity. Conclusions:Findings suggest a need for trauma-informed services within food assistance programs to better serve individuals with a history of ACE.