Early infant appetitive traits are associated with growth status and adiposity in African-American infants and toddlers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Few studies have examined infant appetitive traits in minority populations or among mothers with obesity.

Aim

To test associations of appetitive traits with nutritional exposures and growth in African-American children up to age 24m.

Subjects and methods

Mothers with pre-pregnancy BMI <25 or ≥30 and their infants were included (n = 222). The Baby Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (BEBQ) at 3m captured appetitive traits; BMI z-scores (BMIZ) at 3, 12 and 24m were examined. Internal consistency of BEBQ constructs was tested and their association with growth outcomes evaluated using correlation analysis, multiple regression, and tests for trend.

Results

Only the BEBQ construct "food responsiveness" met internal consistency criteria (Cronbach's alpha

SUBMITTER: Zemel BS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12626232 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature