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Leying Hou 1 Article
Associations between adverse childhood experiences and diabetes among middle-aged and older Chinese: a social-ecological perspective
Siyu Zhu, Leying Hou, Jiaying Ma, Shuting Li, Weidi Sun, Wen Liu, Jiajun Hao, Wenhan Xiao, Siqing Cheng, Dexing Zhang, Dong Zhao, Peige Song
Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023071.   Published online August 2, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023071
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AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study examined the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and diabetes within a social-ecological framework, incorporating personal and environmental unfavorable conditions during childhood from family, school, and community contexts.
METHODS
Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2014 life history survey and 2015 survey), including 9,179 participants aged ≥45 years. ACEs were collected through self-report questionnaires, and participants were categorized based on the number of distinct ACEs experienced (0, 1, 2, 3, or ≥4 ACEs). Diabetes was defined by biomarkers, self-reported diagnosis, and treatment status. Logistic regression was conducted to explore the associations between ACEs and diabetes. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender, age, and obesity status.
RESULTS
Compared with participants without ACEs, those exposed to any ACE (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.40), 3 ACEs (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.62) and ≥4 ACEs (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.56) had an increased risk of diabetes. For each additional ACE, the risk of diabetes increased by about 5%. Regarding the source of ACEs, those originating from the family (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.41) were associated with diabetes. In terms of specific ACE types, family members with substance abuse (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.52), emotional abuse (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.46), and poor parental relationship (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.43) were associated with diabetes.
CONCLUSIONS
ACEs, particularly those originating from the family, were associated with diabetes. Interventions aimed at preventing and mitigating ACEs are essential for the early prevention of diabetes.
Summary
Key Message
From a social-ecological perspective, this study delineates an association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), particularly those originating from the family, and diabetes among middle-aged and older Chinese. Interventions aimed at preventing and mitigating ACEs are essential for the early prevention of diabetes.

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