A meta-analysis study, which took data from 23 previously published studies has shown that those who are is subjected to abuse during childhood have a greatly increased risk of developing obesity as an adult.
The medical journal Obesity Reviews published this study based on work presented by researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
Erik Hemmingsson, researcher, Dept. of Medicine at the Karolinska Institute stated, “The study clearly shows that difficult life events leave traces which can manifest as disease much later in life. 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,”
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Based on the study data which included 23 studies and over 112,000 participants, they calculated that the risk of obesity was 34 percent higher among adults who had undergone abuse as compared to those who had not. It was also shown that the severity of abuse played a significant role in the risk of obesity because those classified as having suffered severe abuse increased their risk of obesity by 50%.
They compared different forms of abuse and found that whether physical, emotional or sexual abuse took place, the increased risk of obesity was similar.
Dr Hemmingsson says, “These findings indicate causality, where the abuse is the cause of the obesity later in life. 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.” He feels that his study helps to counter some of the prejudicial views people have about obese people. “Our current view of both the occurrence and treatment of obesity is far too narrow, since we talk almost exclusively about diet and exercise.These new studies indicate that we need to take a much more holistic approach in the treatment and prevention of obesity, where we give more consideration to the individual’s childhood as well as psychological and emotional aspects. It can for example be about self-esteem and self-image, thought patterns, emotional stress factors and mental ill-health, and there may thus be a need for psychotherapy or cognitive therapy to obtain lasting positive effects on obesity.”
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