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Ability to delay gratification at age 4 years and risk of overweight at age 11 years

Desiree M Seeyave1, Sharon Coleman, Danielle Appugliese

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, and Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5406, USA.

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|April 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with limited ability to delay gratification (ATDG) at age 4 were more likely to be overweight by age 11. Maternal weight status partially explained this association, suggesting a link between early self-control and later obesity risk.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Pediatric Obesity Research
  • Developmental Science

Background:

  • Limited ability to delay gratification (ATDG) in early childhood may predict later health outcomes.
  • Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern with complex etiologies.
  • Understanding early predictors of overweight is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent association between limited ATDG at age 4 and overweight status at age 11.
  • To examine potential confounding or moderating factors including child BMI z score, maternal expectations, and maternal weight status.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal prospective study involving 805 children across ten US sites.
  • Ability to delay gratification (ATDG) assessed at age 4 years using a validated task (pass/fail).
  • Overweight status at age 11 defined as BMI at or above the 85th percentile.

Main Results:

  • 47% of children failed the ATDG task at age 4.
  • Children failing the ATDG task had a higher likelihood of being overweight at age 11 (RR 1.29).
  • Maternal weight status significantly reduced this association, while child BMI z score and maternal expectations did not alter it.

Conclusions:

  • Limited ATDG in early childhood is associated with an increased risk of childhood overweight.
  • Maternal weight status plays a role in explaining the link between early ATDG and later overweight status.
  • Further research into ATDG, maternal, and child weight status could inform obesity interventions.
Abstract

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