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The association between overweight and internalizing and externalizing behavior in early childhood
Roxanna Camfferman1, Pauline W Jansen2, Ralph C A Rippe1
1Centre for Child and Family Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|September 18, 2016
Summary
Early childhood behavior problems are linked to later overweight risk. This study highlights the importance of monitoring weight development in children with behavioral challenges.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Pediatric obesity research
- Child behavior analysis
Background:
- Childhood overweight and behavior problems are significant public health concerns.
- Understanding the interplay between physical and behavioral development in early childhood is crucial.
- The adiposity rebound, a key phase in Body Mass Index development, may influence these associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bidirectional relationship between overweight and behavior problems in early childhood.
- To assess the role of adiposity rebound in these associations.
- To identify potential risk factors for childhood overweight.
Main Methods:
- Utilized longitudinal data from 6624 Dutch children (Generation R Study).
- Analyzed associations between measured overweight and Child Behavior Checklist scores (internalizing/externalizing) at 1.5, 3, and 6 years.
- Employed cross-lagged modeling, incorporating adiposity rebound estimation.
Main Results:
- Behavior problems (externalizing and internalizing) were associated with a higher risk of later overweight (small effect sizes).
- No significant associations were found from overweight to later behavior problems.
- Adiposity rebound did not alter the observed associations; gender, ethnicity, and rebound timing showed moderating effects.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood behavior problems may predict later overweight.
- Children with behavior problems could benefit from monitoring of eating and weight development.
- Future research should consider the adiposity rebound in studies of child development and obesity.
Keywords:
Adiposity reboundEarly childhoodExternalizing behavior problemsInternalizing behavior problemsLongitudinal studyOverweightThe NetherlandsMore Related Videos
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