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Association between clinically meaningful behavior problems and overweight in children.
Julie C Lumeng1, Kate Gannon, Howard J Cabral
1Division of Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. jlumeng@umich.edu
Pediatrics
|November 5, 2003
Summary
Clinically significant behavior problems in children aged 8-11 are linked to a higher risk of being overweight now and in the future. This association holds even when considering various child and family factors.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Pediatric Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood behavior problems are a growing concern.
- Overweight and obesity rates in children remain high.
- Understanding risk factors for childhood overweight is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between clinically meaningful behavior problems and overweight in children aged 8-11.
- To determine if behavior problems predict concurrent and future overweight status.
- To control for a comprehensive set of potential confounding variables.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the 1998 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth.
- Defined clinically meaningful behavior problems using the Behavior Problems Index (>90th percentile).
- Defined child overweight using body mass index (BMI) (>or=95th percentile) and employed logistic regression analysis, controlling for numerous covariates.
Main Results:
- Behavior problems were independently associated with concurrent overweight in children (aOR: 2.95).
- The association was stronger in children who transitioned from normal weight to overweight (aOR: 5.23).
- Key confounders included race, maternal obesity, academic retention, maternal education, poverty, and cognitive stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Clinically meaningful behavior problems are an independent risk factor for concurrent overweight in children.
- Behavior problems predict the development of overweight in previously normal-weight children.
- These findings highlight the importance of addressing behavior problems in pediatric weight management strategies.