Childhood traumatic experiences are alarmingly common, from physical and emotional abuse, bullying, and exposure to domestic violence to issues like parental substance abuse, separation, and divorce.
A 2019 study by the University of Edinburgh found that two-thirds of children in Scotland experience trauma before the age of eight. And one in 10 children in Scotland experience at least three traumatic events in their lifetime.
Trauma can impact various parts of your life, such as relationships and jobs, but new research shows that children who have experienced trauma have a higher risk of obesity.
The Growing Up in New Zealand study revealed that children who experienced at least one adverse event in their lives were twice as likely to be obese by age eight. The risk increased with the number of traumatic experiences.
Children with four or more adverse experiences were nearly three times more likely to be obese. Particular traumatic experiences, including physical abuse and parental domestic violence upped the chances of obesity.
So, what is the explanation behind it all? The study proposed that the accumulation of early stress in children’s family, school and social environments is associated with greater psychological distress.
This in turn makes children more likely to adopt unhealthy weight-related behaviours, such as eating excessive high-calorie “comfort” foods like fast foods and sugary drinks.
It also often led to inadequate intake of nutritious foods, poor sleep, excessive screen time, and physical inactivity. The research showed that children who underwent adverse events were more likely to do some or all of the above.
There is hope, though – the risk of obesity can be reduced through positive experiences. These experiences include parents being in a committed relationship, children’s lives being enriched by visiting libraries or museums, and living in a household with committed parents and routines and rules including set bedtime, mealtime, and screen time.
“The findings were encouraging,” the study noted. “Children with more positive experiences were significantly less likely to be obese by age eight. Those with five or six positive experiences were 60 per cent less likely to be overweight or obese… even two positive experiences reduced the likelihood by 25 per cent.”
It went on: “Traditional weight-loss programs are not enough to tackle childhood obesity. To create lasting change, we must also address the social environments, life experiences and emotional scars of early trauma shaping children’s lives… Policymakers, schools and families all have a role to play.
“Community-based programs, such as after-school activities, healthy relationship initiatives and mental health services should be prioritized to support vulnerable families.
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