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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Childhood emotional problems and self-perceptions predict weight gain in a longitudinal regression model
Andrew Ternouth1, David Collier, Barbara Maughan
1Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK. andrew.ternouth@iop.kcl.ac.uk
BMC Medicine
|September 15, 2009
Summary
Childhood emotional problems, low self-esteem, and external locus of control predict adult weight gain. These findings highlight potential early intervention targets for the obesity epidemic.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Obesity and weight gain are frequently associated with psychological ill health.
- This study investigated the predictive relationship between childhood psychological factors and adult weight gain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if childhood emotional problems and self-perceptions predict weight gain into adulthood.
- To identify potential early intervention targets for the obesity epidemic.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from approximately 6,500 individuals in the 1970 British Birth Cohort Study.
- Measured childhood body mass index (BMI), emotional problems (Rutter B scale), self-esteem (LAWSEQ), and locus of control (CARALOC).
- Assessed adult BMI at age 30 and analyzed predictive relationships using regression, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- Childhood emotional problems predicted weight gain in women, controlling for childhood BMI, parental BMI, and social class.
- Lower childhood self-esteem predicted weight gain in both men and women, with a stronger effect in women.
- An external locus of control in childhood predicted weight gain in both men and women.
Conclusions:
- Childhood emotional difficulties, low self-esteem, and an external locus of control are significant predictors of adult weight gain.
- These psychological factors offer potential targets for early intervention strategies to address the obesity epidemic.
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