Behaviour of Children of Holocaust Survivors in France Regarding Food

Holocaust survivors experienced extreme trauma, including physical abuse and malnutrition, leading to various eating disorders. The aim of this study was to compare the eating behaviours of Children of Holocaust Survivors (CHS) with those of children of non-Jewish parents who had at least one parent in France during World War II (CW), and to explore the influence of parental relationships with food on these behaviours.

CHS and CW participants were recruited via social media for an online survey that collected demographic data, family war history, parental hunger experiences, and the prevalence of family silence about the war.

Among 522 CHS and 100 CW, no significant difference was found in overall dietary behaviour. However, CHS were more likely to value holiday culinary traditions for themselves (77.6% vs. 40%), their parents (68.5% vs. 40.2%), and their children (61.1% vs. 32.1%). CHS whose parents experienced hunger were more likely to keep large food stores (69.5% vs. 51.2%), eat quickly (38.7% vs. 24.2%), eat all the food (61.1% vs. 47%), and overeat (55.5% vs. 45%).

This study, the first of its kind in a large cohort, highlights the lasting impact of the Holocaust on eating behaviour in CHS.