Eating frequency in relation to BMI in very young children: a longitudinal analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Eating less frequently is associated with increased obesity risk in older children but data are potentially confounded by reverse causation, where bigger children eat less often in an effort to control their weight. Longitudinal data, particularly in younger children, are scarce. We aimed to determine whether eating frequency (meals and snacks) at 2 years of age is associated with past, current or subsequent BMI.

Design

Cohort analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Eating frequency at 2 years of age was estimated using 48 h diaries that recorded when each child ate meals and snacks (parent-defined) in five-minute blocks. Body length/height and weight were measured at 1, 2 and 3·5 years of age. Linear regression assessed associations between the number of eating

SUBMITTER: Taylor RW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10261283 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature