Racial and socioeconomic disparities in body mass index among college students: understanding the role of early life adversity.
The role of early life adversity (ELA) in the development of health disparities has not received adequate attention. The current study examined differential exposure and differential vulnerability to ELA as explanations for socioeconomic and racial disparities in body mass index (BMI). Data were derived from a sample of 150 college students (M age  = 18.8, SD = 1.0; 45 % African American; 55 % European American) who reported on parents' education and income as well as on exposure to 21 early adverse experiences. Body measurements were directly assessed to determine BMI. In adjusted models, African American students had higher BMI than European Americans. Similarly, background socioeconomic status was inversely associated with BMI. Significant mediation of group disparities through the pathway of ELA was detected, attenuating disparities by approximately 40 %. Furthermore, ELA was more strongly associated with BMI for African Americans than for European Americans. Efforts to achieve health equity may need to more fully consider early adversity.
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, 203 Spidle Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA. dsc0019@auburn.edu.
David S
DS
Curtis
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, 203 Spidle Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
Thomas E
TE
Fuller-Rowell
Department of Psychology, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA, USA.
Stacey N
SN
Doan
Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Aleksandra E
AE
Zgierska
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Carol D
CD
Ryff
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Body mass index; College students; Differential exposure; Differential vulnerability; Early life adversity; Health disparities