Abstract
Purpose of ReviewTo explore the sequence and interaction of infancy and early childhood risk factors, particularly relating to disturbances in the social environment, and how the consequences of such exposures can promote weight gain and obesity.Recent FindingsThis review will argue that socioeconomic adversity is a key upstream catalyst that sets the stage for critical midstream risk factors such as family strain and dysfunction, offspring insecurity, stress, emotional turmoil, low self-esteem, and poor mental health. These midstream risk factors, particularly stress and emotional turmoil, create a more or less perfect foil for calorie-dense junk food self-medication and subtle addiction, to alleviate uncomfortable psychological and emotional states.SummaryDisturbances in the social environment during infancy and early childhood appear to play a critical role in weight gain and obesity, through such mechanisms as insecurity, stress, and emotional turmoil, eventually leading to junk food self-medication and subtle addiction.
Highlights
Obesity is clearly one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time
Having a low socioeconomic status is arguably one of the strongest risk factors for developing obesity [2, 20, 21], and many other adverse health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, and mental health problems [22]
While the concept of food addiction is debated [50], the term has gained some recognition, with one study reporting 23% of children 5–12 years, being classified as addicted to food, and a positive association with obesity [51]
Summary
Obesity is clearly one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. A recent simulation study from the USA found that by 2030, a staggering 55–60% of today’s children will be obese [1]. Prevention is an absolutely critical strategy, theoretically by reducing population exposure to common risk factors. Identification of these risk factors, and increased understanding about how those risk factors interact, is vital. While a previous review of this general topic explored the underlying reasons behind the low SES and obesity association [8], the current review will explore how upstream and midstream risk factors (childhood adversity, insecurity, stress, and emotional factors) interact with downstream risk factors, mainly calorie-dense junk food, gradually causing the cup to spill over (Fig. 1). Emphasis will be placed on clarifying the strongly habit-forming and probably addictive properties of junk food, for individuals with increased stress and emotional turmoil, as a result of a harsh family environment during early childhood
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