Adverse childhood experiences, ultra-processed food intake, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, ultra-processed food addiction, and eating disorder
by David A. Wiss & Erica M. LaFata
This research provides compelling evidence for the influences of increased UPF consumption and UPFA symptoms on the presence of broader eating pathology among individuals with a history of ACEs. Further, for persons who report ACEs, the current data suggests that experiencing greater symptoms of PTSD may contribute to the presence of UPFA symptomology. Collectively, the present findings underscore that the influences of UPF consumption and UPFA may represent a blind spot in current trauma-informed treatment approaches for disordered eating.
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Structural equation modeling of adverse childhood experiences, ultra-processed food intake, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, ultra-processed food addiction, and eating disorder among adults seeking nutrition counseling in Los Angeles, CA.
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, or household violence, have been identified as
significant risk factors for a multitude of physical and psychological conditions, motivating research to identify
contributing mechanisms and conditions. Substantial evidence exists that supports strong associations between
ACEs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders (EDs), and addictive disorders.
Recent research has also elucidated a link between ACEs and ultra-processed food addiction (UPFA), a clinical
presentation resembling a substance use disorder with ultra-processed foods (UPFs; e.g., pastries, packaged
snacks, sweetened beverages). Yet, no research to our knowledge has explored causal mediation pathways between ACEs, consumption patterns of UPFs, and symptoms of PTSD, UPFA, and ED.
In a sample of 304 adults seeking dietary counseling in a private practice specializing in mental health nutrition, this study conducted mediation analyses and structural equation modeling to test a conceptual model of the hypothesized contributions of UPF intake and UPFA in explaining the relationships between ACEs with symptoms of PTSD and ED. Symptoms of PTSD fully mediated (99.4%) the positive relationship between ACEs and ED symptoms and 51.0% of the ACE-UPFA association. Greater UPF consumption frequency mediated 23.7% of the positive relationship between ACEs and UPFA symptoms, and UPFA symptoms mediated 73.8% of the positive relationship between UPF intake and ED symptomatology. Relatedly, symptoms of UPFA explained 46.0% of the positive association between symptoms of PTSD and indicators of ED pathology.
Structural equation modeling indicated significant associations of all hypothesized relationships when analyzed simultaneously. This study found that the influences of UPF consumption and UPFA represent a blind spot in current trauma-informed treatment approaches for disordered eating.
Adverse Childhood Experiences & Ultra-Processed Food Addiction
