Children with traumatic experiences have a higher risk of obesity – but this can be turned around [rnz.co.nz]

^{Research suggests that an increased risk of obesity for those who have early traumatic experiences can be reduced through positive experiences. Photo: 123RF}

By Ladan Hashemi (The Conversation), Radio New Zealand (RNZ), Photo: from article, January 14, 2025

Children with traumatic experiences in their early lives have a higher risk of obesity. But as our new research shows, this risk can be reduced through positive experiences.

Childhood traumatic experiences are alarmingly common. Our analysis of data from nearly 5000 children in the Growing Up in New Zealand study revealed almost nine out of 10 (87 percent) faced at least one significant source of trauma by the time they were eight years old. Multiple adverse experiences were also prevalent, with one in three children (32 percent) experiencing at least three traumatic events.

Childhood trauma includes a range of experiences such as physical and emotional abuse, peer bullying and exposure to domestic violence. It also includes parental substance abuse, mental illness, incarceration, separation or divorce and ethnic discrimination.

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