Sex-dependent associations of childhood maltreatment with obesity-related traits: results from the German National Cohort (NAKO)
Authors' conclusion
Associations of CM exposure with adult anthropometric and body fat markers are stronger in females compared to males.
Study context
- Population
- Adults in the German National Cohort (NAKO); Childhood Maltreatment (CM) assessed with the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS)74,596 female
- Participants
- 151,143 adults
- Exposure
- Childhood maltreatment exposure vs no exposure, by sex
- Outcome
- Associations of CM with obesity-related traits by sex
Methodological detailssex-stratified analyses
- Sex-stratified analyses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
≥3 CM subtypes vs UnexposedOdds ratio (95% CI)
Females; obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²)
1.56(1.43–1.71)
Females; high WC (WC ≥ 88 cm)
1.39(1.29–1.50)
Males; obesity
1.51(1.32–1.72)
Males; high WC (WC ≥ 102 cm)
1.31(1.18–1.44)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
CM subtypes
- Physical and emotional abuse showed the strongest average associations and were associated with the most outcomes
Original publication
Sex-dependent associations of childhood maltreatment with obesity-related traits: results from the German National Cohort (NAKO). Int J Obes (Lond). Published 6 February 2026. doi:10.
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