Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

26.7K

Child behavioural problems and body size among 2-6 year old children predisposed to overweight. results from the

Nanna J Olsen1, Jeanett Pedersen, Mina N Händel

  • 1Research Unit for Dietary Studies, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals, The Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark ; University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Plos One
|November 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Childhood behavioral problems, measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Total Difficulties (SDQ-TD) score, were linked to higher BMI z-scores in at-risk children. This association was significant only for those with the highest difficulty scores.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns.
  • Psychological adversities may influence body size in young children.
  • Understanding the relationship between behavioral problems and body size in predisposed children is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between child behavioral problems and body size (BMI z-score) in 2-6 year olds predisposed to overweight.
  • To examine the role of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Total Difficulties (SDQ-TD) and Prosocial Behavior (PSB) scores.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 583 children predisposed to obesity.
  • Utilized the Danish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for behavioral assessment.
  • Measured height and weight to calculate BMI z-scores, adjusting for multiple covariates.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was found between high SDQ-TD scores (above 90th percentile) and increased BMI z-scores (β = 0.36, p = 0.05).
  • A non-significant linear trend was observed between overall SDQ-TD scores and BMI z-scores.
  • No significant association was found between PSB scores and BMI z-scores.

Conclusions:

  • A threshold effect suggests that only children with the highest levels of behavioral difficulties are at increased risk for higher BMI z-scores.
  • These findings highlight the importance of considering behavioral factors in childhood obesity prevention strategies.
  • Prosocial behavior did not appear to influence body size in this cohort.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development05:44

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development

Published on: May 17, 2024

1.3K
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

4.4K

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.6K
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
19.4K
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.4K
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
2.0K
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when...
6.3K
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
372