The Trenton Times guest opinion column published the following article on January 29, 2014. To read the full op-ed, click here.
Opinion: Crime contributes directly to the obesity epidemic in Trenton
By Times of Trenton guest opinion column
on January 29, 2014 at 5:34 AMBy Dr. Kemi Alli
Nothing is more important to the people of Trenton than our children. Recently, the Public Health Management Corporation released findings from the Philadelphia Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study that linked childhood experiences with growth and development. The study connects specific behaviors and health outcomes in adults to their childhood experiences.
To competently address the health care needs of our families, adults and children, we need to fully understand the unique risk factors and ramifications faced by children who grow up in an inner city. With this in mind, the Henry J. Austin Health Center has embraced the ACE study, which points to a powerful statistical relationship between our emotional experiences as children and our subsequent physical and mental health and neurological development as adults.
With 17,000 participants, the ACE study is one of the largest research projects ever conducted to assess the relationship between stressful or traumatic (adverse) childhood experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, growing up with alcohol or other substance abuse, mental illness, parental discord, crime in the home or maltreatment and later-life health and well-being.