title: The effect of childhood abuse on the risk of adult obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to assess the association between childhood abuse and adult obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis, which included studies that reported odds ratio (OR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Summary estimates of association were obtained using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated using Cochran Q and I2 statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 22 cohort studies (3 prospective, 19 retrospective) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled OR was 1.23 (95% CI, 1.16-1.31). All 4 subcategories of abuse were associated with adult obesity: physical abuse (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.10-1.42), psychological abuse (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.33), sexual abuse (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.05-1.38), and neglect (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.12-1.32). Moreover, dose-response analysis showed that severe abuse (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.14-1.1.62) was significantly associated with adult obesity compared with light/moderate abuse (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.84-1.18). Although slight publication bias was observed (Egger test P = .05), effect sizes remained statistically significant in sensitivity analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research demonstrated a remarkably consistent association between childhood abuse and adult obesity. Medical practitioners need to be aware of the important role of childhood abuse in the development of obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China. E-mail: 13514212975@163.com.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiaoyi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000067073:Psychological Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011599:Psychopathology; D012307:Risk Factors