How Does Exposure to Early-Life Stressors Shape Eating Behaviors in Adulthood?

The objective of this literature review is to explore the relationship between early-life stress and the development of disordered or dysregulated eating in adulthood. A search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO databases. Results from each study were compared and synthesized. Twelve studies were analyzed including case reports, systematic reviews, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies. Research indicates that childhood emotional abuse, often more prevalent than other forms of maltreatment, is a significant risk factor for eating pathology, with studies investigating psychological mediators such as anger, anxiety, and dissociation in this relationship. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and early life stress appears to be a particularly significant factor in eating psychopathology and increased risk of adulthood obesity through mechanisms such as emotional dysregulation, depression, and disordered eating. Screening for ACEs and childhood trauma may be crucial in identifying individuals at higher risk for developing obesity and eating disorders and treating patients with trauma-informed care. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex causal pathways linking childhood trauma to adult obesity and eating disorders.