Females are prone to obesity in early adulthood owing to prolonged periods of food
insecurity and harsh parenting practices, suggested a study. According to the
study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, food deprivation when
combined with other stressors such as harsh parenting, impacts a teen's
development.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers
suggests that when these years include prolonged periods of food insecurity
coupled with harsh parenting practices.
"When females who are normal weight in their early adolescence experience food insecurity,
something is happening in their bodies," said Brenda Lohman, Professor, and
Iowa State University.
In the study, harsh parenting was defined as
hostile or aversive physical contact; punishment in response to misbehavior; or
angry, critical, or disapproving behavior.
"Hardships impact how a youth's parent
feels, which then impacts family processes and family dynamics," said
Tricia Neppl, assistant professor, Iowa State University.
Metabolic literature suggests that when a person
is deprived of nutrients or proper food on top of experiencing stressors like
harsh parenting, cortisol-which the body releases during stressful situations,
may increase and changes in the endocrine system, essential to hormone
function, can lead to greater weight gain.
