Childhood Discipline: Physical Punishment Linked to Health Issues in Adulthood

How parents decide to discipline their child can make a huge difference on his or her physical health as an adult, according to a recent study. In fact, researchers found that using physical punishment such as slapping or hitting were linked to higher rates of obesity, arthritis and heart disease seen later in life. 

Past studies show that physical harm has also been linked to higher rates of aggressive behavior and poorer emotional well-being in some cases.

"Kids need discipline," said lead researcher Tracie Afifi, of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. "But it shouldn't involve physical force."

The study looked at 34,226 U.S. adults who took part in a government health study in 2004 and 2005. Just under 4 percent fit the definition for being harshly punished as children.

Obesity rates overall were higher compared to adults who reported no physical punishment during their upbringing: About 31 percent, versus 26 percent. They also had higher rates of arthritis (22.5 percent, versus 20 percent) and heart disease (9 percent, versus 7 percent).

The researchers also took other factors into account when looking at the rates of abuse, such as family income and how harsh the abuse was. Children who received "harsh" abuse were at a 20 percent to 28 percent increased risk for the three adult health problems previously stated.

Authors of the study note that the results are not completely conclusive as they were unable to completely decipher the spectrum of abuse to slight physical pubnishement.  

And further to the point, drawing the line between physical child abuse and discipline is sometimes confusing for parents still practicing the old-fashioned habit.

According to the American Humane Association (AHA), child abuse is defined as a "non-accidental trauma or physical injury caused by punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning or otherwise harming a child." (This is just the definition for physical abuse. There are also other forms, such as emotional, neglectful, and sexual.) 

Psychology Today notes that many child abusers are not even aware that their behavior is harmful to the child and believe their strange, dangerous and possibly horrifying disciplining practices may be the only way to "control" him or her.

Yet, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, children who survive traumatic experiences of abuse often suffer from frequent memories of abuse, bad dreams or hallucinations, fear of dying, loss of interest in activity or life in general, and the list goes on.

Most health experts today believe that disciplining kids should be through verbal communication. Using types of physical force for temporary punishment is not only hurtful--it can cause lifelong damage.

More information regarding the study can be found in the journal Pediatrics.