Longitudinal associations between overweight/obesity and stress biology in low-income children.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Associations between overweight and altered stress biology have been reported cross-sectionally during childhood, but it is unclear whether overweight precedes altered stress biology or if altered stress biology predicts greater likelihood of overweight over time. The current longitudinal study investigates associations between overweight/obesity, salivary alpha amylase and cortisol morning intercept, diurnal slope, and reactivity to social stress in a cohort of low-income children during preschool and middle childhood.

Subjects/methods

Children were recruited through Head Start and were observed and followed into middle childhood (N = 257; M = 8.0 years). Height and weight were measured at both time points. Saliva samples were collected across the day

SUBMITTER: Doom JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7050333 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature