Restrained and emotional eating in preadolescents with functional somatic symptoms: A population-based cohort study

Functional somatic symptoms (FSS), encompassing physical symptoms not attributable to well-defined physical diseases, are prevalent in childhood and adolescence. Such symptoms - particularly the subtype of functional gastrointestinal symptoms (FGS) - have been linked to problematic eating behaviours in adults. However, little is known about this relationship in preadolescents. This study investigated the associations between FSS and problematic eating behaviours, including restrained and emotional eating, in a population-based cohort of 11-12-year-old Danish children. We further examined whether these associations were attenuated after adjustment for body dissatisfaction and emotional problems.

Data included 1890 participants from the Copenhagen Child Cohort (CCC2000) with self-reported assessment on FSS, eating behaviours, body dissatisfaction, emotional problems, stage of puberty, and calculation of body mass index. Logistic regressions were performed to examine associations.

FSS were significantly associated with both restrained (OR = 1.10, 95% CI [1.08, 1.12]) and emotional eating (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.07, 1.11]). Notably, the associations were significantly stronger for the FGS subtype, showing higher odds ratios for both restrained (OR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.16, 1.29]) and emotional eating (OR = 1.20, 95% CI [1.13, 1.27]). Associations remained significant after adjusting for body dissatisfaction and emotional problems.

Our findings suggest that FSS and especially FGS are associated with problematic eating behaviours in children. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify possible underlying mechanisms.