Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Childhood Obesity And Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Adulthood: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Adverse childhood experiences are traumatic incidents occurring before the age of 18 years that increases the risk of
adult health problems. Such experiences include various types of abuse; physical and emotional neglect; separation between
parents; serious household dysfunction; peer violence and community violence.
Objective: To determine the risk of colorectal cancer in persons in adult life with exposure to early life trauma. To find relation
between adverse experiences in childhood and early life obesity.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines 2020. In this review, 5 independent reviewers
extracted the data based on the articles published between 2018 and 2023 with the help of Databases such as PubMed/ Medline and
Google Scholar. In each database, keywords used were: Adverse Childhood Experiences And Childhood Obesity, Adverse Childhood
Experiences OR Childhood Obesity AND Colorectal Cancer, Childhood Obesity AND Colorectal Cancer. Studies reported any
relationship between adverse childhood experiences or childhood obesity and adulthood colorectal cancer were selected..
Results: A total of 22 articles were identified. Out of these 13 (59.1%) explained the positive relationship between adverse childhood
experiences and the development of childhood obesity (increased BMI). The most common childhood adversities related to
increased childhood BMI are Household dysfunction, crime proximity, neglect, bereavement, and abuse. There were 9 (40.9%) of
the 22 identified articles proved a direct relation between childhood obesity and the development of colorectal carcinoma.
Conclusion: Necessary steps must be taken to raise awareness about adverse childhood experiences such as abuse and
community-related issues children face and prevent such risk factors from increasing the overall risk of Colorectal Carcinoma, thus
alleviating the burden on the health system and provide wellness to the society as a whole.