Physical Abuse During Childhood Raises Obesity Risk in Women

Women who were physically abused during childhood are more likely to be obese than women who weren't abused as children, a new study reported.

"After adjusting for age and race, childhood physical abuse was associated with 47% higher odds of obesity for women" said Esme Fuller-Thomson from the University Toronto and lead author of the study. "Among men, obesity wasn't associated with childhood physical abuse."

Researchers added that none of the other factors such as depression, anxiety or use of drugs by parents explained the rise of obesity risk in these women. They found that females hailing from families where physical abuse was rampant, had about 35 percent higher chance of developing obesity.

Obesity can raise risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and even some cancers. According to estimates by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of all people living in the U.S are obese.

The study included data of 12,590 adults from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey. About 976 people said that they were physically abused as children.

Researchers found an association between physical abuse and obesity in women, but not among men.

"It is unclear why childhood physical abuse is associated with adult obesity among women but not men; it may reflect gender differences in coping mechanisms," Sarah Brennenstuhl, co-author of the study said in a news release.

A recent study had shown that physically abused women have higher risk of developing thyroid -related problems. Previous research has shown that abuse can lead to several chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. Effects of trauma faced in childhood stays in later life due to the changes in immune response and increased levels of stress. In women, child abuse can lead to early or late menarche.

The present study is published in the journal Obesity Facts.