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Predictors of Change in BMI From the Age of 4 to 8

Silje Steinsbekk1, Lars Wichstrøm2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Silje.Steinsbekk@svt.ntnu.no.

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|June 8, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Children with high food responsiveness show increased weight gain. Excess weight also predicts increased food-approaching behavior, highlighting the bidirectional relationship between appetite and Body Mass Index Standard Deviation Score (BMI SDS).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric obesity research
  • Childhood development
  • Behavioral science

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing concern with complex contributing factors.
  • Understanding the interplay between appetite, physical activity, and weight trajectory is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate appetite traits, physical activity, and TV time as predictors of Body Mass Index Standard Deviation Score (BMI SDS) change in children aged 6-8.
  • To explore the bidirectional relationship between BMI SDS and appetite traits.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study with 995 Norwegian children assessed at ages 4, 6, and 8.
  • Appetite traits measured using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire.
  • Physical activity assessed via accelerometers; TV time via parental reports.

Main Results:

  • High food responsiveness predicted a significant increase in BMI SDS.
  • Elevated BMI SDS at age 4 predicted increased food responsiveness and decreased satiety responsiveness by age 8.
  • Physical activity and TV time showed no association with BMI SDS changes.

Conclusions:

  • Children with heightened sensitivity to food cues are at higher risk for prospective weight gain.
  • Excess weight and weight gain can influence and exacerbate food-approaching behaviors, indicating a feedback loop.
Abstract

Keywords:
childreneating and feeding disordershealth behaviorlongitudinal researchobesity.

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