Abstract
ObjectivePsychological adversities among young children may be associated with childhood overweight and obesity. We examined if an increased level of child behavioural problems was associated with body size among a selected group of 2-6 year old children, who were all predisposed to develop overweight.MethodsCross-sectional analyses were conducted using baseline data from the “Healthy Start” intervention study. A total of 3058 children were invited to participate, and data from 583 children who were all predisposed for obesity was analyzed. The Danish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess child stress by the SDQ Total Difficulties (SDQ-TD) score and the Prosocial Behavior (PSB) score. Height and weight were measured, and BMI z-scores were calculated.ResultsA direct, but non-significant linear trend was found between SDQ-TD score and BMI z-score (β = 0.021, p = 0.11). Having an SDQ-TD score above the 90th percentile was associated with BMI z-score (β = 0.36, p = 0.05). PSB score was not associated with BMI z-score. Analyses were adjusted for parental socioeconomic status, parental BMI, family structure, dietary factors, physical activity, and family stress level.ConclusionThe results suggested a threshold effect between SDQ-TD score and BMI z-score, where BMI z-score was associated with childhood behavioural problems only for those with the highest scores of SDQ-TD. No significant association between PSB score and BMI z-score was found.
Highlights
Previous research suggests that the determinants behind the present increase in the obesity prevalence are present already in early childhood, and that obesity is under both genetic and environmental influence [1,2]
Behavioural problems have been found to be more common in children coming from families with low socioeconomic status (SES) [4] which has been found to be a factor predisposing to development of overweight and obesity [10]
Our results suggested a direct association between Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)-TD score and Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score among young children
Summary
Previous research suggests that the determinants behind the present increase in the obesity prevalence are present already in early childhood, and that obesity is under both genetic and environmental influence [1,2]. The secular trends in childhood overweight and obesity are not fully explained by changes in traditional lifestyle factors, such as increased food intake and decreased physical activity [3]. In this regard, it has been suggested that psychological adversities may be a cause of overweight and obesity among children. Most studies have examined psychological problems in relation to overweight and obesity in school-aged children [6,7,8], leaving unclear findings for children under the age of 5 [9]. Behavioural problems have been found to be more common in children coming from families with low socioeconomic status (SES) [4] which has been found to be a factor predisposing to development of overweight and obesity [10]
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