Not the Root of the Problem: Hair Cortisol and Cortisone Do Not Mediate the Effect of Child Maltreatment on Body Mass Index

    May 2020 in “ Frontiers in psychiatry ”
    Katharina Pittner, Renate S. M. Buisman, Lisa Berg, Laura Block, Marieke S. Tollenaar, Marian J. Bakermans‐Kranenburg, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, Bernet M. Elzinga, Lenneke R. A. Alink
    TLDR Child abuse is linked to higher BMI, but not because of hair cortisol or cortisone levels.
    The study concluded that hair cortisol and cortisone levels did not mediate the relationship between child maltreatment and body mass index (BMI). Despite higher levels of experienced abuse being associated with higher BMI and increased hair cortisone levels, these stress-related biomarkers did not explain the link between maltreatment and BMI. The findings suggested that other factors, such as eating behaviors and metabolic health indicators, might be responsible for the observed association between early adversity and later obesity. The study emphasized the need for further research into alternative pathways and mechanisms.
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