Predictors of Change in BMI From the Age of 4 to 8

Silje Steinsbekk; Lars Wichstrøm

doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsv052

Predictors of Change in BMI From the Age of 4 to 8

J Pediatr Psychol. 2015 Nov-Dec;40(10):1056-64. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv052. Epub 2015 Jun 6.

Authors

Silje Steinsbekk¹, Lars Wichstrøm²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Silje.Steinsbekk@svt.ntnu.no.
² Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and NTNU Social Science.

PMID: 26050242
DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv052

Abstract

Objectives: To examine appetite traits, level of physical activity, and television (TV) time as predictors of change in Body Mass Index Standard Deviation Score (BMI SDS) from age 6 to 8 and to explore the effect of BMI SDS (from age 4) on appetite traits.

Methods: In all, 995 Norwegian children participated at age 4; 760 and 687 of these children took part in the assessment at ages 6 and 8, respectively. Appetite traits were assessed using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire, activity was measured using accelerometers, and TV time was based on parental reports.

Results: High food responsiveness predicted a steeper increase in BMI SDS. A reversed effect was also observed: High BMI SDS predicted increased food responsiveness and decreased satiety responsiveness. Physical activity and TV time were unrelated to BMI SDS.

Conclusion: Children whose eating is especially triggered by the sight and smell of food show prospective increased weight gain. Excess weight and weight gain also predict increased food-approaching behavior.

Keywords: children; eating and feeding disorders; health behavior; longitudinal research; obesity..

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Body Mass Index*
Body Weight / physiology*
Child
Child, Preschool
Eating / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Motor Activity / physiology*
Prospective Studies
Television*