Abstract
Eating disorders and weight problems across the life span have been linked to adverse childhood experiences. Previous research often focused on child abuse and omitted investigating effects of child neglect. The present study evaluates effects of neglect on bodyweight across the life span and how emotional neglect and bodyweight are linked via mental distress. Within a large survey representative of the German population (N = 2,500), individuals completed measures of mental distress, childhood trauma, and height and weight. We conducted logistic regression analyses on bodyweight extremes and a moderated mediation analysis. In men, physical neglect aggravated the risk to be underweight. In women, emotional neglect was linked to severe obesity. In both sexes, emotional neglect was related to mental distress. We found an indirect effect of emotional neglect on bodyweight via mental distress, however, it was only present in women. Our results attest to long-term consequences of adverse early experiences. We showed a possible mechanism for women’s higher vulnerability towards eating disorders. In general, investigations of eating and weight disorders should also include men and employ sex-specific methods of analyses. Lastly, neglect should also receive more attention to prevent suffering and negative sequelae over the life span.
Highlights
Since the first landmark study investigating adverse effects of child maltreatment by Felitti, et al.[1], a growing body of research has focused on the consequences of early, potentially traumatic events[2,3]
Representative community sample, we found associations between maltreatment suffered during childhood and consequences observed in adulthood related to mental distress and bodyweight
We found a relationship between emotional neglect suffered as a child and current mental distress levels across the lifespan
Summary
Since the first landmark study investigating adverse effects of child maltreatment by Felitti, et al.[1], a growing body of research has focused on the consequences of early, potentially traumatic events[2,3]. Effects of sexual and physical abuse have drawn attention: Beutel, et al.[20] found a link between sexual abuse and obesity in a large number of female psychosomatic inpatients This finding corroborates previous research by Wonderlich, et al.[21], Williamson, et al.[22], and Brewerton, et al.[23], the latter citing molestation and physical abuse as risk factors for an early onset of binge eating disorder. An investigation of a community-based sample of mothers and their children including Child Protective services data yielded that physical and emotional neglect elevated the offspring’s risk to suffer from eating and/or weight problems[16]. Comparisons with other studies are difficult due to the investigation’s qualitative nature and its lack of a psychometrically validated instrument
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