Have you seen any statistics on morbid obesity in adult survivors of child abuse?
My own impression is a very high correllation, although I wouldn’t presume to speculate on the exact psychological mechanism. I’m thinking of women, but for all I know it’s true of men as well. Can you provide a link to research papers or reports? Opinions of experts?
The statistics are scattered and not very conclusive, but the general professional opinion is that there does seem to be a link (not necessarily a cause and effect).
There are currently two problems that complicate the issue. The first is the small numbers of people in the studies. The second is the general increase in morbid obesity in both children and adults (especially in the USA).
The numbers of reported cases of child abuse have increased dramatically over the last two or three decades. This has more to do with honest reporting of incidents than a real increase of the number of incidents. The facts of the abuse could better remain hidden in the past.
Morbid obesity is not and never has been hidden. The numbers involved are easily determined. Although the numbers of obese adults has increased very rapidly, there has been little scientific data collected to determine what part of this population might be effected by abuse of any kind, much less sexual or emotional abuse of children.