Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Childhood Self-Regulation and Adolescent Adiposity.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Research suggests that higher childhood self-regulation (CSR) predicts lower adiposity in adolescence. However, it is unclear whether this relationship differs by sex or by baseline weight status. Thus, this study investigated these questions in a longitudinal, community-based cohort.

Methods

The cohort included 221 girls and 214 boys. At age 9, CSR was assessed via parent/teacher reports of effortful control, and childhood BMI z scores (BMIz) were calculated from staff measurements. Late-adolescent waist-to-height ratio was based on staff measurements at age 18.

Results

CSR has a small inverse correlation with concurrent childhood BMIz in girls, but not in boys. Prospectively, however, CSR has a small inverse association with late-adolescent weight-to-heigh

SUBMITTER: Javaras KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7483948 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature