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ACEs and Nutrition & Physical Activity
Our health isn’t determined by genetics alone. Our choices and experiences—especially the experiences we have in childhood—can have a powerful impact on our long-term health. Abuse, neglect and other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to poorer health such as obesity and other chronic diseases, and the more ACEs a person has, the higher that risk becomes.
It’s important to remember that ACEs may increase the odds of having health challenges, but they don’t guarantee poor health or risky behavior. Research shows that healthy eating and increasing physical activity are positive coping mechanisms that can help people who have experienced childhood trauma deal with life’s challenges and overcome adversity.