Research

Hormonal

Childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect are strongly linked to the development of eating disorders, particularly Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder, through interactions with genetic susceptibility.

If you have experienced childhood trauma, you may be at higher risk for eating disorders. This risk is not inevitable, but it is significant. Trauma-informed therapy and support can help address the underlying emotional pain that may manifest as disordered eating.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Abuse, trauma and childhood obesity are strongly linked to eating disorders... Exposure to childhood trauma has been linked to polymorphisms in genes expressed in the glucocorticoid receptor pathway which are associated with increased risk of developing BN, binge eating, and loss of control over eating
Sarah Barakat et al. · Journal of Eating Disorders · 2023

Why this rating

Supported by multiple studies including meta-analyses and longitudinal data.

Source

Risk factors for eating disorders: findings from a rapid review

Sarah Barakat et al. · Journal of Eating Disorders · 2023

DOI 10.1186/s40337-022-00717-4

narrative_reviewCited 311×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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