Childhood psychological function and obesity risk across the lifecourse: findings from the 1970 British Cohort Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psychological comorbidities of obesity are well recognised. However, the role of childhood psychological problems in the aetiology of later obesity has been little studied. DESIGN: Secondary analyses of a national birth cohort (1970 British Cohort Study). Analysis: Logistic regression models to predict obesity risk at 26, 30 and 34 years related to hypothesised predictors: maternal and teacher reported child psychological function at 5 and 10 years (general behavioural, conduct, emotional or attentional/hyperactivity problems) and maternal psychological function. RESULTS: General behavioural problems at age 5 years increased the risk of obesity at 30 and 34 years. Persistence of these problems through childhood further increased the obesity risk. Inattention/hyperactivity at 10 years similarly increased risk of obesity at 30 years (adjusted odds ratios (AOR) 1.3). Chronic conduct problems at 5 and 10 years also increased the obesity risk at 30 years (AOR 1.6 (1.1, 2.4) Po0.05). Childhood emotional disorders and maternal psychological function were not associated with adult obesity. CONCLUSION: Children with early and persistent behavioural problems, particularly conduct problems, hyperactivity and inattention in early and mid-childhood are at an increased risk of obesity in adult life. The promotion of child and adolescent mental health and well-being may form an important part of future obesity prevention strategies. The promotion of healthy eating and activity should form part of secondary prevention and management strategies for children with disruptive behaviour disorders.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and being overweight/obesity: New data and meta-analysis

“…W. van Egmond-Fröhlich et al, 2012) ; (Waring & Lapane, 2008) ; (White, Nicholls, Christie, Cole, & Viner, 2012) ; (Yang, Mao, Zhang, Li, & Zhao, 2013) …”

A review of the psychological and familial perspectives of childhood obesity

“…Moreover, youngsters with disruptive disorders are found to have a higher BMI than subjects without disruptive disorders [75], and behavioral problems during childhood and early adolescence may be associated with a greater risk to develop overweight and obesity in early adulthood [80-82]. These associations remain consistent also after adjusting for a variety of parental characteristics (i.e., demographics and life style), child dietary patterns, family meals, television watching, and participation in sports and exercise during childhood (81).…”

Young people’s perceptions of mental and physical health in the context of general wellbeing

“…It is well established that mental health and physical health are interlinked and a recent NHS England report, No Health without Mental Health highlights the need for parity between mental and physical health and to see both as integral components of overall health (DoH, 2011). Associations between childhood behavioural and mental health problems and premature mortality have been observed (Jokela et al, 2009), as have associations with diabetes, obesity and poorer general health and wellbeing (von Stumm et al, 2011;White et al, 2012). These associations and increased risk factors may be due in part to the development of poor adult health-related habits and the promotion of childhood and adolescent mental health may be an important component of disease prevention strategies (White et al, 2012).…”