Life adverse experiences in relation with obesity and binge eating disorder: A systematic review

Abstract

Background and aimsSeveral studies report a positive association between adverse life experiences and adult obesity. Despite the high comorbidity between binge eating disorder (BED) and obesity, few authors have studied the link between trauma and BED. In this review the association between exposure to adverse life experiences and a risk for the development of obesity and BED in adulthood is explored.MethodsBased on a scientific literature review in Medline, PubMed and PsycInfo databases, the results of 70 studies (N = 306,583 participants) were evaluated including 53 studies on relationship between adverse life experiences and obesity, 7 studies on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in relation to obesity, and 10 studies on the association between adverse life experiences and BED. In addition, mediating factors between the association of adverse life experiences, obesity and BED were examined.ResultsThe majority of studies (87%) report that adverse life experiences are a risk factor for developing obesity and BED. More precisely a positive association between traumatic experiences and obesity and PTSD and obesity were found, respectively, in 85% and 86% of studies. Finally, the great majority of studies (90%) between trauma and the development of BED in adulthood strongly support this association. Meanwhile, different factors mediating between the trauma and obesity link were identified.Discussion and conclusionsAlthough research data show a strong association between life adverse experiences and the development of obesity and BED, more research is needed to explain this association.

Associations of lifetime traumatic experience with dysfunctional eating patterns and postsurgery weight loss in adults with obesity: A retrospective study

“…Consistent with previous investigations (Palmisano et al, ), the results of this study showed that patients who were exposed to a life adverse event were more likely to experience dysfunctional eating patterns before bariatric surgery. One year after surgery, trauma‐exposed patients from this study showed neither a difference in impulsive, compulsive, and restrictive eating patterns nor in grazing and in night eating behaviours.…”

“…A 30‐year follow‐up prospective study showed that children with a history of trauma are at risk of developing adult severe obesity (Bentley & Widom, ). The impact of lifetime traumatic experience on weight gain could be explained by increased risks of being diagnosed with eating, mood, and anxiety disorders (Gustafson & Sarwer, ; Palmisano, Innamorati, & Vanderlinden, ), as well as psychological dysfunction (D'Argenio et al, ). These results suggest that individuals with excess weight tend to cope with their traumatic experiences by eating.…”

Relation between cognitive restraint and weight: Does a content validity problem lead to a wrong axis of care?

“…Finally, the Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) events, a 17‐item self‐reported scale, was used to measure the intensity of psychotraumatic symptoms . After the subject has claimed to have had a stressful life event and has indicated the date of the most recent event and briefly explained what the event was, he or she is asked to complete, on a 5‐point Likert scale, the intensity of the event, with 1 corresponding to “not at all” and 5 to “very often.”…”

Prevalence and correlates of a positive screen for eating disorders among Syrian refugees

“…Participants who were initially diagnosed with PTSD were prone to develop ED few years after the trauma and to experience weight change (Mitchell et al, 2016). A review of 70 studies done by Palmisano, Innamorati, and Vanderlinden (2016) examined the effect of trauma on BED and obesity in adulthood. It concluded that around 90% of the studies reported a positive association between experiencing trauma and the development of BED (Palmisano, et al, 2016).…”

“…A review of 70 studies done by Palmisano, Innamorati, and Vanderlinden (2016) examined the effect of trauma on BED and obesity in adulthood. It concluded that around 90% of the studies reported a positive association between experiencing trauma and the development of BED (Palmisano, et al, 2016). A review done by Bartlett and Mitchell (2015) also investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and symptoms of ED among males and females who are either war veterans or army recruits.…”