Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
04:48
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
11.7K
Meal Patterns, Food Consumption, and Weight Changes in Children Prone to Overeating
Catharina Sarkkola1,2, Reetta Lehto3,4, Sohvi Lommi3,5
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, catharina.sarkkola@helsinki.fi.
Obesity Facts
|March 9, 2026
Summary
Self-reported overeating in children strongly predicts increased BMIz, more so than parent reports. Addressing overeating is crucial for adolescent weight management interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Adolescent Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Overeating, exceeding nutritional needs or rapid consumption, is linked to weight gain in children.
- Understanding the impact of self-reported (SR) versus parent-reported (PR) overeating on adolescent weight is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-sectional associations of SR and PR overeating with meal patterns and food consumption in children.
- To determine the longitudinal predictive power of SR and PR overeating on changes in body mass index z-score (BMIz) during adolescence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 5827 children in the Finnish Health in Teens cohort.
- Assessed overeating via self and parent reports, collected dietary and physical activity data, and calculated BMIz at baseline and after 2.7 years.
- Employed general linear models with backward stepwise selection for longitudinal analysis.
Main Results:
- SR overeating (4.2%) and PR overeating (9.3%) were associated with irregular meals and frequent snacking.
- Children reporting overeating consumed more sugary products and fast food.
- Both SR and PR overeating predicted a significant increase in BMIz over time, with SR overeating being a stronger predictor.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported overeating is a more potent predictor of BMIz increase than parent-reported overeating.
- Combined SR and PR overeating demonstrated the highest predictive value for BMIz change.
- Interventions targeting overeating behaviors are essential for effective adolescent weight management.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
650
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
650
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
921
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
921
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
1.7K
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
1.7K
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
3.0K
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
3.0K
01:24Obesity
1.5K
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.5K
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
548
Assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex process that begins with collecting subjective data. This data, collected through patient interviews, provides crucial insights into the patient's health history, perception patterns, and lifestyle habits, all contributing significantly to GI health.
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
548