Child Maltreatment Linked to Disordered Eating Among Youth, Research Reveals

Research conducted by a team of researchers at Kent State University has uncovered a significant association between child maltreatment and disordered eating among children and adolescents. The study, published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, aimed to quantify the link between child maltreatment and indicators of disordered eating among youth. The findings suggest that exposure to child maltreatment is highly prevalent and associated with a range of adverse physical and mental health outcomes, including disordered eating.

Key Takeaways:

• The odds of engaging in disordered eating among youth who experienced child maltreatment were significantly greater than the odds of engaging in disordered eating among youth who had never experienced child maltreatment (odds ratio = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.77-2.63).
• The association between child maltreatment and disordered eating among youth has been systematically quantified for the first time in this study.
• The study's findings highlight the need for methodologically rigorous future studies to further explore the relationship between child maltreatment and disordered eating among youth.
• Child maltreatment is a highly prevalent issue, with exposure rates of 47.8% among the general population and 57.7% among youth in the foster care system.
• The study's authors highlight the importance of considering the long-term effects of child maltreatment on youth's mental and physical health.

Statistics:

• The study found that among 13 studies, the odds of engaging in disordered eating among youth who experienced child maltreatment were significantly greater than the odds of engaging in disordered eating among youth who had never experienced child maltreatment (odds ratio = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.77-2.63).
• The study's results indicate that 47.8% of the general population has experienced child maltreatment, which is a significant risk factor for disordered eating.
• Among youth in the foster care system, 57.7% have experienced child maltreatment, highlighting the increased vulnerability of this population to disordered eating.
• The study's authors emphasize the need for further research to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of child maltreatment on youth's mental and physical health.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Reports from Kent State University Describe Recent Advances in Pediatrics (Assessing the Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Disordered Eating Among Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 476.
• Assessing the Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Disordered Eating Among Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 2025;46(5).