Body mass index, internalizing behavior and executive function: examining trait-state effects from age 2 to 15

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Childhood obesity and internalizing behaviors are significant public health concerns.
• Understanding the interplay between body mass index (BMI) and internalizing behaviors is crucial for early intervention.
• Executive function plays a key role in cognitive and behavioral regulation during development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reciprocal relationship between BMI and internalizing behaviors from ages 2 to 15.
• To examine the predictive role of executive function in children's BMI and internalizing behaviors.
• To identify potential shared risk factors and intervention targets for both conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a subset of 640 children from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development.
• Employed a random-intercept cross-lagged model to analyze longitudinal data across eight waves (ages 2-15).
• Assessed body mass index, internalizing behaviors, and executive function at multiple time points.

Main Results:

• No significant trait-level association was found between BMI and internalizing behaviors.
• A significant state-level prediction from 5th-grade BMI to 6th-grade internalizing behaviors was observed.
• Executive function was significantly associated with trait-level BMI, trait-level internalizing behaviors, and state-level internalizing behaviors.

Conclusions:

• Deficits in executive function may represent a shared risk factor for both high BMI and internalizing behaviors in children.
• Targeting executive function interventions could be a promising strategy for addressing childhood obesity and internalizing behaviors.
• Longitudinal research highlights the dynamic interplay between physical and mental health indicators in child development.