Childhood Trauma May Cause Adult Obesity

Childhood trauma may just influence the development of obesity. Scientists have found that being subjected to abuse during childhood markedly increases the likelihood of becoming obese as an adult.

"The study clearly shows that difficult life events leave traces which can manifest as disease much later in life," said Erik Hemmingsson, one of the researchers, in a news release. "The mechanisms behind this process include stress, negative patterns of thought and emotions, poor mental health, increased inflammation, as well as lowered immune function and metabolism."

In order to see how trauma might influence obesity, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis that encompassed 23 studies with a total of 112,000 participants. The scientists calculated the risk of obesity and found that it was 34 percent higher among adults who had been subjected to abuse as children. When categorized based on different forms of abuse, the researchers found that physical abuse increased the risk of obesity by 28 percent, emotional abused increased it by 36 percent, sexual abuse by 31 percent and general abuse by 45 percent.

"These findings indicate causality, where the abuse in the cause of the obesity later in life," said Hemmingsson. "However, not everyone who is subjected to abuse will develop obesity, and not all obese individuals have been abused, so there are obviously other causes too. AT the same time, it is important to remember that child abuse is more common than we think, and it needs to be brought to light. Between five and ten percent of the adult population say that they have been subjected to some form of abuse during childhood."

The findings reveal that preventative measures could help curb the tide of obesity. It also shows that the current view of both the occurrence and treatment of obesity is too narrow. The new research shows that scientists need to take a more holistic approach when it comes to some forms of treatment and prevention.

The findings are published in the journal Obesity Reviews.