Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Intimate Partner Violence, and Nutritional Inadequacy Among Women in an Urban Brazilian Setting

Abstract

Adult women’s nutritional status reflects a complex interplay of biological, social, and environmental determinants. This study aimed to analyze the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), intimate partner violence (IPV), and inadequate nutritional status among women in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based survey with 1.073 women aged 18 years or older. The body mass index (BMI) is categorized into adequate weight and inadequate weight, with the latter comprising excess weight (overweight and obesity) and extremes of weight (underweight or obesity). Experience of violence was measured with ACEs and IPV. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associations, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Women who reported ACEs, such as parental divorce/separation and living with family members who used alcohol, illicit drugs, or prescription drugs, were 1.4 times more likely to be excess weight compared with those who did not experience ACEs (OR = 1.37; 95%CI:1.02–1.83; p = 0.035 and OR = 1.35; 95%CI:1.01–1.80; p = 0.041, respectively). Among those with extreme BMI values, the association with parental divorce/separation also remained significant after adjustment (OR = 1.59; 95%CI: 1.13–2.25; p = 0.009). These findings suggest that ACEs have lasting effects throughout life, influencing body weight in adult women and contributing to inadequate dietary status at both the lower and upper limits.