Eating in the Absence of Hunger Is a Stable Predictor of Adiposity Gains in Middle Childhood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) is a behavioral phenotype of pediatric obesity characterized by the consumption of palatable foods beyond hunger. Studies in children have identified EAH to be stable over time, but findings are unclear on whether it predicts the development of adiposity, particularly in middle childhood, a period of increased autonomy over food choices.

Objectives

We hypothesized that EAH would remain stable and be associated with increased adiposity over a ≥1-y prospective study in 7-8-y old children without obesity. Secondary hypotheses tested whether physical activity moderated the impact of EAH on adiposity.

Methods

Children (n =72, age 7.8 ± 0.6 y; BMI% <90th), in a 7-visit longitudinal study, had EAH, adiposity, and physical acti

SUBMITTER: Bhat YR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11662233 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature