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Obesity-Related Hormones in Low-Income Preschool-Age Children: Implications for School Readiness

Alison L Miller1, Carey N Lumeng2, Jennifer Delproposto3

  • 1Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan ; Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan.

Mind, Brain and Education : the Official Journal of the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society
|October 11, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Obesity in preschoolers, linked to hormones like leptin and ghrelin, may impact emotion regulation and school readiness. This pilot study highlights potential physiological pathways connecting early life stress, health, and development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Socioeconomic disparities significantly impact preschool children's school readiness and health, with obesity being a key concern.
  • Obesity can alter circulating proteins, potentially affecting cognitive and emotion regulation skills crucial for academic success.
  • Understanding the complex interplay between obesity, physiological markers, and early development is vital for addressing health inequalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between obesity-related biomarkers, body mass index (BMI), and school readiness in low-income preschoolers.
  • To explore potential links between specific hormones (leptin, ghrelin, GLP-1) and pro-inflammatory cytokines with emotion regulation skills.

Main Methods:

  • A pilot study involving low-income preschoolers enrolled in Head Start programs.
  • Measurement of obesity-related hormones (leptin, ghrelin, GLP-1), BMI z-score, and assessment of school readiness, including emotion regulation.
  • Analysis of correlations between physiological biomarkers and developmental outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The adipokine leptin was found to be associated with preschoolers' BMI z-score.
  • Appetite-regulating hormones (ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1) and pro-inflammatory cytokines were related to leptin and BMI.
  • Several obesity-related biomarkers showed associations with emotion regulation skills.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity in preschoolers is associated with specific hormonal and inflammatory markers.
  • These physiological markers may play a role in emotion regulation, a key component of school readiness.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the complex pathways linking obesity, stress, health, and developmental outcomes in early childhood.

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