Divorce is an emotional and psychological challenge that is often a difficult life event for all family members. Our divorce lawyers in Towson recognize that divorce is emotionally charged and complex, especially if children are involved. Although reaction to and effects of divorce vary by the age of the children, new research shows that childhood stress experienced during a parent divorce or death can impact eating habits throughout adulthood.
A recent U.S. study reported that children who suffered with stress because of divorce or death were more likely to gain weight later in life. Americans’ Changing Lives, a national survey, interviewed 3,617 people (2,259 women and 1,358 men) four times over a fifteen year period.
Childhood stress was measured on participants that experienced family stressors that occurred at age 16 or younger. Research showed that the impact of childhood stress relating to adult weight gain only affected women. This finding reveals that women may cope with stress by emotional-driven eating more than men. Young girls who lived through divorce, death or family illness gained weight more rapidly than women who had less instances of stress.
A child’s developing brain is vulnerable to stress and unhealthy coping strategies may begin. Damaging events in a child’s life like economic hardship, divorce, an absentee parent or an illness create stress that children may internalize. A critical period for establishing body weight patterns during childhood, combined with constant changing body mass, have been determined to have long term effects on women’s weight gain. Interestingly, researchers note that childhood stress may be a bigger factor in weight gain than stress experienced in adulthood.
Towson Divorce Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC Recommend Legal Guidance When Seeking a Divorce
If you and your family are struggling and considering a divorce, divorce lawyers in Towson at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC will assist you and continue to support you throughout your divorce process. We are committed to provide you a personal legal strategy regarding your rights and options throughout Maryland including the towns of Essex, Bel Air, Towson, Elliott City, Columbia and Westminster as well as in Baltimore County, Howard County, Carroll County and Harford County. You may submit an online contact form or call 443-589-0150 for a free, confidential consultation to discuss the individual details of your circumstances.
