Early life social conditions and adverse experiences are associated with childhood body mass index (BMI) and perceived overeating
Authors' conclusion
We observed stable bidirectional associations between BMI and perceived overeating. The results indicated two main pathways: one linked to maternal BMI and early childhood BMI increase followed by perceived overeating and the second associated with ACEs mediating the effect of early childhood social factors on perceived overeating, leading to gradual BMI gain.
Study context
- Population
- Children from the ELSPAC study, data collected between 18 months and 11 years of age
- Participants
- 5,151 children
- Outcome
- Child BMI and mother-reported overeating
- Follow-up
- Ages 3, 5, 7 and 11 years
Methodological detailslongitudinal, random intercept cross-lagged panel model
- Longitudinal
- Random intercept cross-lagged panel model
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Temporal stability in perceived overeating and BMI, with a bidirectional relationship strengthening over time
- Child BMI associated with maternal BMI
- Maternal BMI positively associated with perceived overeating; stronger effect for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- ACEs mediated the impact of maternal education, financial difficulties and single parenthood on overeating
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean child BMI · age 3 to age 11
kg/m²
- Mean BMI at age 3
- 15.59
- Mean BMI at age 11
- 17.86
Parent-reported overeating · age 3 to age 11
- Overeating at age 3
- about 12%
- Overeating at age 11
- 17%
Original publication
Early life social conditions and adverse experiences are associated with childhood BMI and perceived overeating. Pediatr Obes. Published 8 October 2024. doi:10.
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