Eating attitudes and trauma in third-generation holocaust survivors

This cross-sectional study examined the transgenerational transmission of Holocaust trauma on eating and food attitudes among third-generation Holocaust survivors. Limited knowledge exists on the nature of Holocaust exposure for the third-generation, especially concerning disordered eating. A convenience sample of 236 Israeli respondents aged 18-50 was recruited via Google Forms and was asked to complete the EAT-26 questionnaire and a custom questionnaire. Gender differences were observed, with women showing higher EAT-26 scores, indicating a less healthy relationship with food. The study included 130 third-generation (3rd-gen) and 106 non-third-generation (non-3rd-gen) participants. Although no significant differences were found between the groups in dieting, weight concerns, and EAT-26 scores, significant differences were discovered regarding their perception of parental feeding and education styles. It can be concluded from the results that Holocaust transmission of trauma persists in the third-generation, manifested through their relationship with their parents and the feeding style they experienced in their childhood.