Child abuse linked to long-term health issues, Hong Kong NGO warns

Child abuse can impair victims’ development and increase their risk of long-term health problems such as obesity and heightened inflammatory responses, a Hong Kong NGO has said, calling for a tiered prevention strategy to strengthen protections.

Against Child Abuse on Wednesday shared the results of an overview of local studies from recent years on the effects of abuse on children, while calling for more resources and enhanced measures to safeguard youngsters.

One cited study, published in 2024, involved 661 children and found that adverse caregiving experiences in early childhood were associated with altered growth patterns, with more frequent neglect and psychological aggression predicting greater later reductions in body mass index.