The physiological changes in the body during times of stress accelerate activity in the brain, heart, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, enabling quick thinking and movement. If you participate in sports, are under pressure to meet a deadline or fleeing from danger, stress is a good thing. However, continual stress often leads to physical and psychological changes that have a negative effect on overall health. Stress-related problems include eating disorders, obesity, and related conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Obesity: How It Begins
Genetics, hereditary, medications, such as steroids, and diseases, like Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism, are unavoidable causes of excess weight or obesity. Environmental causes, such as socioeconomic status, culture and level of education play a role in advancing stress related eating disorders and obesity. Environmental stress and childhood trauma were contributing factors to eating disorders and obesity for many of the clients I worked with in my weight management practice.
Child Abuse
Behavioral patterns, such as the relationship with food, begin at birth. Infants develop from the head down, which is why they initially use their mouths to explore their environment. From birth, infants learn to satisfy the stress of hunger with their mouths. Caregivers play a vital role in a child’s relationship with food. The psychological damage of child abuse by caregivers manifests in many ways. A child whose cries for attention and nourishment are ignored, is more likely to suffer from eating disorders than is a well-nourished child who is loved, frequently cuddled and hugged and raised with a sense of security.
An article published in the journal Psychological Medicine, describes an extreme example of eating disorder development seen in prisoners of war who survived long periods of food deprivation. Some of my eating disorder clients were descendents of war victims, and, by extension, they too became victims of war. Because of the horrors endured by their grandparents and parents, they were overprotected and overfed as children.
Psychological Abuse
Food is not only a source of nourishment for children; it is a reward for good behavior and a bandage to ease the pain of a scraped knee or other injury. Psychological abuse can be unintentional. A young child tugs on his mother’s clothing, holds up his arms, and asks to be held. The mother, who is on the phone, washing dishes, doing housework or changing a younger child’s diaper, responds saying, “Not now! Can’t you see I’m busy?” The child hears, “Go away, I don’t love you.” He goes to the cookie jar for comfort. Too many children endure intentional psychological abuse by parents, caregivers, family members and peers who belittle them, shame them, and make them feel worthless and insecure. Food becomes their only comfort, sanctuary and friend.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse can also be unintentional. An affectionate pat on the backside often embarrasses and confuses a child and makes her feel uncomfortable. This innocent action can trigger an eating disorder. Some of my eating disorder clients experienced the devastating trauma of sexual assault. Food provided them with a familiar source of comfort in a world filled with fear, confusion and pain. They believed gaining weight made them unattractive enough to prevent a future sex attack; it provided a psychological shield against danger.
If you are a victim of abuse and suffer from an eating disorder or obesity, ask your physician for a referral to an eating disorder therapist. Eating disorders are usually treated by teams that include doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists and dietitians.
Sources
Overcome Obesity Today, “Obesity and Child Abuse: Are Those Who Suffer From Child Abuse More Likely to Face Obesity?”
Psychological Medicine, “Binge Eating and Eating Attitudes Among Nazi Concentration Camp Survivors”
American Journal of Public Health, “Sexual Assault History and Eating Disorder Symptoms Among White, Hispanic, and African-American Women and Men”