Differences in the Association Between Childhood Trauma and BMI in Black and White South African Women

The prevalence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] >30kg/m2) in women in South Africa is high, with black women being more commonly affected than white women (31.8% vs. 22.7%). [1] Although many studies have examined traditional risk factors for obesity in South African women, including genetics, diet, physical activity [2], very few studies have examined childhood psychosocial circumstances and their effect on obesity risk.