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Exploring the relationship between appetitive behaviours, executive function, and weight status among preschool
Kyung E Rhee1, Michael Manzano1,2, Stanny Goffin1
1Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA.
Pediatric Obesity
|February 2, 2021
Summary
Executive functions (EFs) and appetitive behaviors like food responsiveness influence preschool children's weight status. Poor emotional control combined with high food responsiveness or low satiety responsiveness is linked to higher BMI percentiles.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric obesity research
- Child psychology and development
- Behavioral science and nutrition
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern.
- Executive functions (EFs) and appetitive behaviors are critical for self-regulation, particularly around food.
- Understanding the interplay between EFs and appetitive behaviors is crucial for developing effective weight management strategies in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the interaction between executive functions (EFs) and appetitive behaviors (food responsiveness, satiety responsiveness) in preschool children.
- To determine if this interaction influences children's weight status (BMI percentile).
- To investigate these relationships within the context of a self-regulation intervention trial.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory analysis involving 92 preschool children (mean age 5.1 years).
- Parent-reported EFs (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool) and appetitive behaviors (Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire).
- Anthropometric measurements (BMI percentile) and statistical analyses including Spearman's correlation, linear regression, and interaction tests.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between food responsiveness and several EFs (emotional control, inhibitory control, working memory, plan/organize).
- Children with high food responsiveness or low satiety responsiveness showed higher BMI percentiles when emotional control skills were poor.
- No elevated BMI percentiles were observed in children with low food responsiveness and poor emotional control.
Conclusions:
- Executive functions appear more relevant to weight status in preschool children with heightened food responsiveness or diminished satiety responsiveness.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering both cognitive control and appetite regulation in childhood weight management.
- Further research with direct measures and larger, longitudinal samples is recommended to confirm these associations and their long-term impact.
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