The comorbidity of psychiatric and metabolic conditions is prevalent and poses a heavy burden on public health. Several biopsychosocial factors are known to influence both metabolic and psychiatric health, including inflammation, eating behavior, physical activity, and early life stress. Few studies, however, have examined the constellation of interrelationships among multiple risk domain simultaneously.

Using a sample of 200 medically healthy adults enrolled in a parent study, we used Gaussian Graphical Modeling, a type of network analysis, to characterize interdependent cross-sectional associations between early life stress (childhood trauma), health behaviors (diet quality and physical activity), blood-based biomarkers of metabolic functioning (insulin resistance, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides) and inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP]), and three domains of mental health symptoms (depressive, anxious, and post-traumatic stress symptoms). We hypothesized that the network structure would highlight a pattern whereby higher CRP, poorer diet quality, lower physical activity, and higher childhood trauma, would associate with increased risk for both metabolic and psychiatric impairments.

Findings revealed a positive conditional association between CRP and childhood trauma, which may function as an intermediary process to increase risk for both metabolic impairments and psychiatric symptoms in adulthood. Further, higher physical activity was associated with lower insulin resistance and fewer depressive symptoms, and better diet quality was associated with lower CRP levels.

Results highlight potential avenues for interventions aimed at reducing inflammation, improving health behavior, and addressing the effects of childhood trauma to improve physical and mental health comorbidities.