Sexual Abuse and Its Relationship to Eating Disorders

Abstract

Early childhood abuse and its influence on eating disorders has tended to be limited to sporadic case reports and a few systematic studies. Its importance is exemplified by the fact that sexual abuse in general and incest in particular have occurred in all societies and taboos against them exist in every known culture. The attitude towards these activities is conveyed by the origins of the words. Incest comes from the Latin, incestus, meaning impure, immodest, or bad. It may also be derived from the latin incestare, meaning stained or defiled.¹ Incest generally implies sex between blood relatives or step relatives, even though no blood relationships exist. Sexual abuse leads to confusion on the part of children, because of the abrogation of responsibility by the adult, especially the protective responsibility. Historically, incest has also been sanctioned by law, tradition, and religion. The definition has varied at different times by various societies. The strongest and most universal taboo is against mother-son incest.