New research indicates that experiencing childhood trauma may raise a young person's risk of smoking, substance use, and unhealthy eating habits—not directly, but through behavioral problems that emerge during adolescence, such as impulsivity and poor self-control.
The findings suggest that trauma's effect on health behaviors is mediated by adolescent conduct. Youth who develop these behavioral difficulties are more likely to engage in smoking, drug and alcohol use, and adopt a poor diet later on.
The study highlights a possible intervention point: addressing behavioral problems in trauma-exposed adolescents could help prevent these downstream health risks. Since this is a single report, no corroborating or conflicting studies are included here.