Measures Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Research Articles

Examining Childhood Adversities in Chinese Health Science Students Using the Simplified Chinese Version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (SC-ACE-IQ).

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are prevalent, costly, and associated with poor health outcomes in adults. Little is known about ACE prevalence rates or strategies for measuring ACEs among young adults in Mainland China. The aims of this study were to (a) translate the ACE-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) into Simplified Chinese, (b) assess the psychometric strength of the Simplified Chinese version of the ACE-IQ (SC-ACE-IQ), and (c) compare SC-ACE-IQ scores calculated using binary and frequency scoring methods. The ACE-IQ was translated from English to Simplified Chinese and evaluated for content validity, criterion validity, and test–retest reliability. Chinese young adults (n = 566) aged 18–38 years who were health science students were recruited in Shanghai, China from May to August 2020. ACE exposures were compared using binary and frequency scoring methods, as proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The SC-ACE-IQ has good content validity (S-CVI = 0.89) and test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.88). SC-ACE-IQ scores were associated with depressive (binary: r = 0.26, frequency: r = 0.29; p < 0.001) and anxiety (binary: r = 0.22, frequency: r = 0.24; p < 0.001) symptoms. Higher proportion of participants reported exposure to at least one ACE and four or more ACEs when using the binary scoring method compared to the frequency scoring method. The SC-ACE-IQ is a valid and reliable ACE measure for Chinese health science students. Using frequency methods may underestimate exposure to ACEs among this population. Researchers should carefully select scoring methods for different study populations and purposes.

Adverse childhood experiences, stress, and resilience among early childhood teachers

Early childhood teachers play a critical role in supporting young children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. Unfortunately, teachers’ abilities to promote young children's well-being can be hindered by their own stress. Teachers can experience both workplace stressors as well as chronic stressors from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Very little is known about whether different sources of teacher's stress have independent effects on their functioning. The present study examines whether workplace stress and history of ACEs are unique or redundant predictors of teacher resilience and classroom behavior, including teacher-child interaction quality, child classroom misbehavior, and staff affect regulation. Data were collected from female teachers (N = 718) across 101 childcare centers. Teachers (Mage = 39.26, SD = 13.69) completed self-report assessments on their history of ACEs, workplace stress, and resilience. For a subsample of teachers (n = 58) classroom behavior was observationally coded in the classroom. Controlling for student-teacher ratio and center type, both a higher number of ACEs and workplace stress were associated with lower levels of resilience. Only a history of ACEs was associated with observed teacher-child interaction quality and child classroom misbehavior, not workplace stress. Although there are some limitations to the measurement of retrospective ACEs, the present study offers some promising findings regarding the impact of ACEs on teacher functioning. The present findings suggest that addressing trauma-specific stress is important for early childhood teacher interventions, beyond general relaxation and stress management strategies.

Emotion dysregulation mediates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and problematic gaming

Gaming disorder (i.e., gaming addiction) is a relatively common mental health disorder with a worldwide prevalence rate of 3.05%. In the present research, we examined whether emotion dysregulation mediates the relation between adverse childhood experiences and problematic gaming in two samples of current video game players. The first sample consisted of 1,262 students recruited from five universities across Canada. The second sample comprised 417 community adults residing in Canada. Both samples of participants completed an online survey which included measures of adverse childhood experiences, problematic gaming, and emotion dysregulation. A total of 45.64% (n = 576) in the university sample and 49.76% (n = 205) in the community sample met the threshold for problematic gaming. In the student sample, adverse childhood experiences were positively associated with problematic gaming. In contrast, there was no significant association between adverse childhood experiences and problematic gaming in the community sample. In both samples, adverse childhood experiences were positively associated with emotion dysregulation, and emotion dysregulation was positively associated with problematic gaming. Importantly for the present research, emotion dysregulation mediated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and problematic gaming in both the university and community sample. Although adverse childhood experiences are distal and static risk factors for problematic gaming, emotion dysregulation is a more proximal and modifiable risk factor. The results suggest that increasing adaptive emotion regulation skills may decrease the risk of problematic gaming among individuals who have experienced an adverse childhood experience.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Investments in Adverse Childhood Experience Prevention Efforts

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Investments in Adverse Childhood Experience Prevention Efforts

A Bayesian learning model to predict the risk for cannabis use disorder

BackgroundThe prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) has been increasing recently and is expected to increase further due to the rising trend of cannabis legalization. To help stem this public health concern, a model is needed that predicts for an adolescent or young adult cannabis user their personalized risk of developing CUD in adulthood. However, there exists no such model that is built using nationally representative longitudinal data. MethodsWe use a novel Bayesian learning approach and data from Add Health (n = 8712), a nationally representative longitudinal study, to build logistic regression models using four different regularization priors: lasso, ridge, horseshoe, and t. The models are compared by their prediction performance on unseen data via 5-fold-cross-validation (CV). We assess model discrimination using the area under the curve (AUC) and calibration by comparing the expected (E) and observed (O) number of CUD cases. We also externally validate the final model on independent test data from Add Health (n = 570). ResultsOur final model is based on lasso prior and has seven predictors: biological sex; scores on personality traits of neuroticism, openness, and conscientiousness; and measures of adverse childhood experiences, delinquency, and peer cannabis use. It has good discrimination and calibration performance as reflected by its respective AUC and E/O of 0.69 and 0.95 based on 5-fold CV and 0.71 and 1.10 on validation data. ConclusionThis externally validated model may help in identifying adolescent or young adult cannabis users at high risk of developing CUD in adulthood.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Intimate Partner Violence Among Youth in Cambodia: A Latent Class Analysis.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a global public health problem, including in low- and middle-income country settings, and are associated with increased risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) during young adulthood. However, current measurement of ACEs may underestimate sequelae of different combinations, or classes, of ACEs and mask class-specific associations with adult exposure to IPV. We used data among ever-partnered young women and men aged 18-24years from the Cambodia Violence Against Children Survey (Nw = 369; Nm = 298). Participants retrospectively reported on seven ACEs and lifetime physical and/or sexual IPV victimization and perpetration. Latent classes comprised of ACEs were used as predictors of physical and/or sexual IPV perpetration and victimization, controlling for household wealth. Identified latent classes for women were "Low ACEs" (60%), "Community Violence and Physical Abuse" (23%), and "Physical, Sexual and Emotional Abuse" (17%). Latent classes for men were "Low ACEs" (48%) and "Household and Community Violence" (52%). Among women, those in the Physical, Sexual and Emotional Abuse class were more likely to experience and perpetrate physical and/or sexual IPV in their romantic relationships compared to the reference group (Low ACEs). Women in the Community Violence and Physical Abuse class were more likely to perpetrate physical and/or sexual IPV, but not experience IPV, compared to women in the Low ACEs class. Among men, those in the Household and Community Violence class were more likely to perpetrate physical and/or sexual IPV against a partner, compared to men in the Low ACEs class. Overall, patterns of ACEs were differently associated with IPV outcomes among young women and men in Cambodia. National violence prevention efforts might consider how different combinations of childhood experiences shape risk of young adulthood IPV and tailor interventions accordingly to work with youth disproportionately affected by varied combinations of ACEs.

Childhood Adversity and Illness Appraisals as Predictors of Health Anxiety in Emerging Adults with a Chronic Illness.

Emerging adults with a chronic medical condition (CMC) are at increased risk for developing health anxiety (HA). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to developing HA. CMCs and ACEs frequently co-occur among emerging adults. However, no known research has examined ACEs and HA within this critical developmental period. Further, increased negative illness appraisals (e.g., uncertainty, intrusivness) may partially explain the relation between ACEs and HA. The present study examined the following mediation model: ACEs → illness appraisals → HA. Emerging adults (N = 121) with a CMC completed self-report measures of demographics, ACEs, illness appraisals, and HA. Regression analyses were conducted to test each illness appraisal as a mediator between ACEs and HA. Results demonstrated significant indirect effects for both illness appraisals. Findings demonstrate greater ACEs may increase negative illness appraisals which heightens overall HA. Thus, these associations support trauma-informed care approaches to support emerging adults.

Sex Differences in the Associations of Specific Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders

Using nationally representative data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we examined associations of specific Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on the comorbid combinations of Depression (DEP), Anxiety (ANX) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The measures of ACEs were derived from the CDC-Kaiser ACE Study. Unlike prior research focusing on the number of ACEs, we hypothesize that there are specific types of ACEs strongly associated with psychiatric comorbidity (i.e., high-risk ACEs) and that these associations differ by sex. The results demonstrated that emotional, physical, and sexual abuse was strongly associated with all combinations of these three disorders. Mental illness in household was also strongly associated with DEP+ANX as well as DEP+PTSD but not DEP+ANX+PTSD. Among females, the odds ratios for the combination of DEP+ANX given 1 or 2 or more high-risk ACEs were 2.07 (95% CI: 1.50-2.85, p&lt;0.0001) and 4.17 (95% CI: 2.90-6.01, p&lt;0.0001); the odds ratios for the combination of DEP+PTSD given 1 or 2 or two or more high-risk ACEs were 2.53 (95% CI: 0.84-7.64, p=0.10) and 16.01 (95% CI: 5.41-47.39, p&lt;0.0001); the odds ratios for the combination of DEP+ANX+PTSD given 1 or 2or more high-risk ACEs were 6.53 (95% CI: 3.22-13.22, p&lt;0.0001) and 18.91 (9.20-38.88, p&lt;0.0001). Similar graded relationships were not found among males. The results reveal that exposure to two or more of the specific high-risk ACEs in females increased their odds of DEP+PTSD by 16 and the odds of DEP+ANX+PTSD by 19 when compared to females with zero high-risk ACE exposure. These findings were not observed in males.

Associations of three measures of Adverse Childhood Experiences and depressed mood among Black pregnant individuals

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with an increased risk of depression during pregnancy. Traditionally, the Kaiser ACE (KACE) has been the gold-standard, but recent surveys, such as the Philadelphia ACE (PHLACE), incorporate the unique impact of community-level childhood trauma. The expanded Philadelphia ACE (exPHLACE) includes medical history, sex practice, and substance use histories. The impact of ACEs on the mental and physical well-being of Black women during pregnancy is insufficiently studied.

Infant DNA methylation: an early indicator of intergenerational trauma?

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increases risk for mental and physical health problems. Intergenerationally, mothers' ACEs predict children's health problems including neurodevelopmental and behavioural problems and poorer physical health. Theories of intergenerational trauma suggest that ACEs experienced in one generation negatively affect the health and well-being of future generations, with DNA methylation (DNAm) being one of several potential biological explanations. To begin exploring this hypothesis, we tested whether infant DNA methylation associated with intergenerational trauma. Secondary analysis employed data from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study. Subsample data were collected from mothers during pregnancy and postpartum on measures of distress, stress and ACEs and from infants at 3 months of age on DNAm from blood (n = 92) and buccal epithelial cells (BECs; n = 124; primarily nonoverlapping individuals between tissues). Blood and BECs were examined in separate analyses. Preliminary associations identified in blood and BECs suggest that infant DNAm patterns may relate to maternal ACEs. For the majority of ACE-related DNAm sites, neither maternal perinatal distress, nor maternal cortisol awakening response (CAR; a measure of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis function), substantially reduced associations between maternal ACEs and infant DNAm. However, accounting for maternal perinatal distress and cortisol substantially changed the effect of ACEs in a greater proportion of blood DNAm sites than BEC DNAm sites in the top ACEs-associated correlated methylated regions (CMRs), as well as across all CMRs and all remaining CpGs (that did not fall into CMRs). Possible DNAm patterns in infants, thus, might capture a signature of maternal intergenerational trauma, and this effect appears to be more dependent on maternal perinatal distress and CAR in blood relative to BECs.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Oral Health Outcomes in U.S. Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study of the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health.

This study investigated the cross-sectional associations between exposure to nine Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and U.S. children’s and adolescent’s oral health outcomes. Data from 41,294 participants of the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) were analyzed. Past year exposure to ACE, oral health outcomes (decayed teeth, bleeding gums, and condition of the teeth), and child and caregiver sociodemographic factors were self-reported. Using SAS v. 9.4, propensity score weighted, multilevel survey-logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) of the proposed associations. The overall mean (SE) age was 8.9 (0.1) years with 51% being male. Fifty-four percent (54%) identified as non-Hispanic white, and 12% as non-Hispanic black. The prevalence of the nine ACE measures ranged from 3% for caregiver death to 25% for financial hardship and parental divorce. Children who experienced caregiver mental illness, when compared to those who did not, were more likely to report decayed teeth (AOR: 1.73 (95% CI: 1.24, 2.42)) and the condition of their teeth as fair/poor (AOR: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.61, 4.19). Children in households with financial hardship were about twice as likely to report dental caries (AOR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.50, 2.29) and have fair/poor teeth (AOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.40, 2.51) and bleeding gums (AOR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.48, 3.86). ACEs appear to be associated with worse oral health outcomes among children and adolescents. Nevertheless, the cross-sectional nature of this study precludes a causal interpretation of these findings and necessitates more research to elucidate the oral health impacts of exposure to ACEs in longitudinal follow-up studies.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences of Methamphetamine Users in Aotearoa/New Zealand

Using in-depth semi-structured interviews, the family environment of forty-one former frequent methamphetamine users is analyzed using a ten category measure of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The qualitative analysis reveals almost three-quarters experienced four or more ACEs, especially parental separation, parental substance abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect. Females compared to males, and Māori compared to European/Pākehā, experienced more adversity, while father figures played a disproportionate role in producing participants’ childhood adversity. Physical neglect, physical abuse, parental mental illness, sexual abuse and early age of parental separation were especially detrimental to participants’ healthy development. With approximately five ACEs each on average, this first ever life course-based qualitative study of frequent methamphetamine users in Aotearoa/New Zealand adds further evidence to the body of knowledge that demonstrates frequent substance use is an adaptive counterproductive coping mechanism to adverse childhood experiences. However, six interviewees were exposed to none or one ACE. With ‘good’ and ‘fortunate’ childhoods, and loving and supportive parents, such contrary childhoods underscore the importance of cultivating and practicing prosocial authoritative parenting practices.

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experience and Heavy Smoking in Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Not in Education, Employment, or Training Status

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in early adolescence and heavy smoking in emerging adulthood, focusing on the mediating role of individuals' not in education, employment, or training (NEET) status. MethodsUsing a retrospective cohort sample from the Taiwan Youth Project, 2,903 participants from the age of 14 years until the age of 22 years were surveyed. Respondents' ACEs were assessed at the age of 14 years, their NEET status was assessed at the age of 20 years, and heavy smoking was measured at the age of 22 years. Regression and mediation analyses with resampling were conducted. ResultsIn a separate model, cumulative ACEs, three or more ACEs, and family dysfunction during early adolescence were significantly related and emerging adults' heavy smoking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.32; AOR = 2.91; and AOR = 2.31, respectively) and NEET status (AOR = 1.27; AOR = 2.99; and AOR = 2.09, respectively). In the final model (including both ACE and NEET), these three ACE measures were still significantly related to heavy smoking and NEET status was also significantly related to heavy smoking. Finally, bootstrapping results indicated that the indirect effects from ACEs on heavy smoking through NEET were significant, which indicated significant indirect effects. ConclusionsACEs have a profound impact on emerging adults' heavy smoking, both directly and indirectly, through their NEET status. Thus, future research should focus on individuals' NEET status and its association with unhealthy behaviors in emerging adulthood.

Measurement of Adverse Childhood Experiences: It Matters

Alternative measurement approaches for adverse childhood experiences (i.e., count score versus individual adverse childhood experiences measured dichotomously versus individual adverse childhood experiences measured ordinally) can alter the association between adverse childhood experiences and adverse outcomes. This could significantly impact the interpretation of adverse childhood experiences research. Data were collected in 2018 (analyzed in 2020) via Amazon's Mechanical Turk and from people incarcerated in 4 correctional facilities (N=1,451). Included adverse childhood experience questions measured the following: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; physical and emotional neglect; household mental illness, substance use, domestic violence, and incarceration; and exposure to community violence before age 18 years. A total of 19 measured outcomes spanned 4 domains of functioning: general functioning, substance use, psychopathology, and criminal behavior. Regression models using the count score explained the least amount of variance in outcomes, whereas multivariable regression models assessing adverse childhood experiences on a continuum explained the most variance. In many instances, the explained variance increased by 2-5 times across the predictive models. When comparing regression coefficients for multivariable regression models that measured adverse childhood experiences as binary versus ordinal, there were notable differences in the effect sizes and in which adverse childhood experiences predicted outcomes. Disparities in results were most pronounced among high-risk populations that experience a disproportionate amount of adverse childhood experiences. Alternative methods of measuring adverse childhood experiences can influence understanding of their true impact. These findings suggest that the deleterious effects of imprecise measurement methods may be most pronounced in the populations most at risk of adverse childhood experiences. For the sake of prevention, the measurement of adverse childhood experiences must evolve.

Early adverse childhood experiences and exclusionary discipline in high school

The use of school suspension and expulsion is a widespread phenomenon in American schools (Wallace et al., 2009; Owens and McLanahan, 2020). Yet, much of what we know about these exclusionary practices provide little insight into the personal biographies of the students themselves—specifically their histories of childhood trauma. Using measures of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), we examine the link between early ACEs (up to age 5) and school suspension/expulsion using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (1998–2010) (FFCWS). We find that a child with a cumulative ACE score are almost four times more likely to have been suspended or expelled. Importantly, this negative link persists even when accounting for factors known to be associated with ACEs and school discipline. This work offers new theoretical insight into how we understand discipline in school contexts and suggests the importance of trauma-informed interventions in the American education system.

Childhood Poverty, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Adult Health Outcomes.

This study aimed to consider childhood poverty in relation to a count measure of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as a predictor of adult health outcomes and to determine whether associations are sensitive to how childhood poverty is operationalized. A sample of 10,784 adult residents was derived using data 2014-2015 Wisconsin annual Behavioral Risk Factor Survey data, derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Adult health outcomes (health risk behaviors, general health problems, chronic health problems, and depression) were predicted using a more conservative and severe indicator of childhood poverty, and authors tested whether observed associations were attenuated by the inclusion of an ACE count variable. Findings showed that severe indicators of childhood poverty are associated with general and chronic health problems as well as adult depression. These associations are attenuated, but remain intact, when ACEs are included in regression models. Using the CDC BRFSS data for Wisconsin, the study showed that associations between childhood poverty and adult health are sensitive to the way in which childhood poverty is operationalized. The relationship between childhood poverty and other ACEs is complex and thus warrants treating the former as a distinct childhood adversity rather than an item in an ACE summary score.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Among 28,047 Norwegian Adults From a General Population.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among Norwegian adults from a general population and to identify potential associations with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.Methods: A randomly drawn sample (N = 61,611) from the public registry of inhabitants was invited to participate in the Norwegian Counties Public Health Survey. The present study was based on online responses from 28,047 adults ≥18 years (mean age: 46.9 years, SD = 16.03). Log-link binomial regression analyses were performed to examine associations between four measures of ACEs (family conflict, lack of adult support, bad memories, and difficult childhood) and demographic (age, gender, civil status, parental divorce) and socioeconomic characteristics (education level, perceived financial situation, and welfare benefits).Results: Single individuals and those with parents that divorced during childhood were at elevated risk of all four ACEs. The risk varied to some degree between the sexes. The prevalence of ACEs declined with increasing age. We found a consistent social gradient that corresponded to the frequency of ACEs for all three socioeconomic characteristics investigated. The risks were highest for those in the lowest socioeconomic levels (RR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.32–1.78 to RR: 4.95, CI: 4.27–5.74).Conclusions: Public health strategies should direct more attention to the interplay between ACEs and socioeconomic factors. Welfare services should be sensitive to ACEs among their service recipients.

Correlates of Hallucinatory Experiences in the General Population: An International Multisite Replication Study

Hallucinatory experiences can occur in both clinical and nonclinical groups. However, in previous studies of the general population, investigations of the cognitive mechanisms underlying hallucinatory experiences have yielded inconsistent results. We ran a large-scale preregistered multisite study, in which general-population participants (N = 1,394 across 11 data-collection sites and online) completed assessments of hallucinatory experiences, a measure of adverse childhood experiences, and four tasks: source memory, dichotic listening, backward digit span, and auditory signal detection. We found that hallucinatory experiences were associated with a higher false-alarm rate on the signal detection task and a greater number of reported adverse childhood experiences but not with any of the other cognitive measures employed. These findings are an important step in improving reproducibility in hallucinations research and suggest that the replicability of some findings regarding cognition in clinical samples needs to be investigated.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Associated with Greater Internalization of Weight Stigma in Women with Excess Weight.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may be an early life factor associated with adult weight stigma via biological (e.g., stress response), cognitive (e.g., self-criticism/deprecation), and/or emotional (e.g., shame) mechanisms. This pilot study investigated relationships between ACEs and internalized and experienced weight stigma in adult women with overweight/obesity and explored differential relationships between weight stigma and ACE subtypes (i.e., abuse, neglect, household dysfunction). Adult women (68% white, Mage = 33 ± 10 years, MBMI = 33.7 ± 7.2 kg/m2) completed measures of ACEs (ACE Questionnaire), internalized weight stigma (IWS; Weight Bias Internalization Scale—Modified; WBIS—M), and lifetime experiences of weight stigma (yes/no). Data were analyzed with linear and logistic regression (n = 46), adjusting for age, race, and body mass index (BMI). Linear regressions revealed a positive association between ACE and WBIS—M scores (β = 0.40, p = 0.006), which was driven by Abuse-type ACEs (β = 0.48, p = 0.009). Relationships between WBIS—M scores and Neglect- and Household-Dysfunction-type ACEs did not reach significance (β = 0.20, p = 0.173; β = −0.16, p = 0.273). Though descriptive statistics revealed greater rates of experienced weight stigma endorsement by those with high-3+ ACEs (81%) vs. medium-1–2 ACEs (67%) or low/no-0 ACEs (60%), ACE scores were not significantly associated with experienced weight stigma in logistic regression (Wald = 1.36, p = 0.244, OR = 1.324, 95%, CI = 0.825–2.125). ACEs may be an early life factor that increase the risk for internalizing weight stigma in adulthood. Larger studies should confirm this relationship and follow-up on descriptive findings suggesting a potential association between ACEs and experienced weight stigma.

Adverse childhood experiences and obesity over time.

The effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) on children and adolescents' health status such as obesity are understudied. The current study addressed the effect of ACE on obesity status during childhood utilising multiple waves of national panel data. Longitudinal survey. Data were drawn from three waves of the second cohort of the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II). NSCAW II study sampled cases from Child Protective Services investigations that were closed between February 2008 and April 2009 nationwide. We measured ACE cumulatively and as separate events and stratified by gender. Totally, 3170 youth births to 14 years of age at baseline. A count measure of ACE is indeed associated with greater odds of obesity during childhood. Differential effects for different types of ACE were also found, most notably neglect. For girls, physical and psychological neglect increased odds of obesity. Findings support evidence for the importance of using both a count measure of ACE as well as separating out single events by gender.