New research has found associations between genetics, obesity, and childhood trauma, linking social health determinants, genetics, and disease. The new study focuses on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which are traumatic and unsafe events that children endure by the age of 18.
According to the research findings of the 16,000 participants, those who had experienced one or more types of ACE were more likely to become obese adults. Those who experienced four or more ACEs were more than twice as likely to become severely obese. There was a steady increase in BMI for each ACE a person experienced, which indicates a strong relation between obesity and ACE.
Combination of genetics, environmental factors such as poverty and abuse, food insecurity, and poor relationships with parental guardians can increase this risk. Obesity can increase the chance for multiple health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Losing weight can help to decrease the chances of being affected by these health issues.
That is very interesting. I read the article and it seems that genetic effects can account for about 6% of the BMI variance.
ReplyDeleteTo think that obesity can be some sort of sign of childhood trauma is interesting. Thinking. about different systems that childhood trauma can bring as well as eating disorders seem likely to happen together. Meaning that it does seem reasonable that obesity can be a symptom on dealing with childhood trauma. Nevertheless, this is a very interesting article that I have read so far.
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