Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Fat Preference: A Novel Model of Eating Behavior in Rats
05:57

Fat Preference: A Novel Model of Eating Behavior in Rats

Published on: June 27, 2014

Associations between child temperament, weight status, and snack food consumption in a diverse sample of young

Tarunjot Sethi1, Amy M Moore2, Lauren M Smith3

  • 1Baby Health Behavior Lab, Division of Health Services and Outcomes Research, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA; University of Missouri - Extension, Department of Health and Human Sciences, Whitten Hall, 506 Hitt St., Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.

Appetite
|June 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Child temperament, specifically Surgency, is linked to sweet snack consumption. Sweet snack intake positively correlates with weight-for-length-z scores, while commercial snacks show a negative association. Further research is needed on temperament

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Child Psychology
  • Growth Monitoring

Background:

  • Mixed findings exist on the links between child temperament, snack food consumption, and weight-for-length-z (WFL-z) scores.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for early childhood health and development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between snack food intake, child temperament (Surgency, Negative Affectivity, Regulation), and WFL-z scores in young children.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of 96 mother-child dyads.
  • Child temperament assessed using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire.
  • Dietary intake analyzed from three 24-hour recalls; child height and weight measured.

Main Results:

  • Surgency positively correlated with sweet snack intake and overall energy from snacks.
  • Commercial snack intake negatively associated with WFL-z scores; sweet snack intake positively associated with WFL-z scores.
  • No significant associations found for Negative Affectivity or Regulation with snack intake or WFL-z scores.

Conclusions:

  • Child temperament, particularly Surgency, influences snack choices and energy consumption.
  • Specific snack types have differential associations with child weight-for-length-z scores.
  • Parental feeding practices may mediate the relationship between temperament and WFL-z scores, warranting further investigation.

Keywords:
Added sugarInfant and child obesityInfant and toddler temperamentInfant snack foodNegative affectivityRegulationsurgency

More Related Videos

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

Methods for Presenting Real-world Objects Under Controlled Laboratory Conditions06:54

Methods for Presenting Real-world Objects Under Controlled Laboratory Conditions

Published on: June 21, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Self-Schemas02:16

Self-Schemas

In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
Self-Regulation01:25

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

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...
Binge Eating Disorders01:23

Binge Eating Disorders

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...