Early childhood obesity and childhood development Open Access
Brzozowski, Amanda Karyn (2014)
Abstract
Because of the high prevalence of childhood obesity a negative effect on childhood development could have a substantial population impact. Studies examining the association between obesity and development have produced inconsistent results and have been conducted primarily in older children. This dissertation explores the association between early childhood obesity and: cognitive ability; adaptive functioning; behavior; and executive functioning.
The first study assessed the extent to which body mass index (BMI), triceps- and subscapular-skinfold-thickness (TST, SST) differed in their classification of obesity status. This analysis used data from the Follow-Up Development and Growth Experiences (FUDGE) Study, a population of preschool-aged Atlanta children born at one of two Atlanta hospitals. Results demonstrated that agreement among obesity metrics was typically poor and the picture of childhood obesity can change depending on the population. The degree to which differences among metrics exists depends on the population.
The second study explored the association of early childhood overweight/obesity and cognitive ability by using data from FUDGE Study participants to assess the relationship of overweight/obesity with scores on the Differential Ability Scales (DAS). The study then used data from participants in the US Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP) to examine the association between BMI at ages 3, 4, and 7 years and scores on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales and Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children. Results from the FUDGE Study found that overweight/obesity was associated with declines in nonverbal cognitive ability in preschool-aged boys; though not among girls. Analysis of CPP data indicated no association between either overweight or obesity and cognitive outcomes.
The third study used data from the FUDGE Study to explore the association of early childhood obesity with adaptive functioning, behavior, and executive functioning. Results indicated that overweight/obesity was associated with declines in motor skills scores among boys (with no corresponding association in girls) and in statue scores among girls of higher socioeconomic status.
Taken together, these studies found little evidence for an association between overweight/obesity and development. However, results indicate possible associations of overweight/obesity with nonverbal cognitive ability and motor skills in boys and NEPSY statue score in girls of higher SES.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.. 1
Dissertation Aims. 2
References. 5
2. LITERATURE REVIEW... 9
Childhood Obesity. 9
Risk factors for childhood obesity. 11
Health consequences of childhood obesity. 15
Measurement of childhood obesity. 17
Childhood obesity and childhood development 21
References. 28
Figures. 36
3. COMPARISON OF THREE OBESITY METRICS IN PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN 37
Abstract 37
Introduction. 39
Methods. 42
Study Population. 42
Data Collection. 43
Study Variables/Measures. 44
Analysis. 45
Results. 45
Discussion. 48
References. 54
Tables and Figures. 58
4. THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EARLY CHILDHOOD OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY AND COGNITIVE ABILITY.. 62
Abstract 62
Introduction. 64
Methods. 66
Study Populations. 66
Data Collection. 68
Study variables. 69
Analysis. 72
Results. 73
Discussion. 78
References. 88
Tables. 91
5. THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EARLY CHILDHOOD OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY AND CHILDHOOD ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONING, BEHAVIOR, AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING IN ATLANTA CHILDREN 98
Abstract 98
Introduction. 100
Methods. 102
Study Population. 102
Data collection. 104
Study variables. 105
Covariates. 106
Analysis. 106
Results. 107
Discussion. 111
References. 119
Tables. 124
6. DISSERTATION CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE.. 130
Dissertation summary. 130
Motivation. 130
Aims. 130
Conclusions. 131
Dissertation strengths and limitations. 132
Contributions of this dissertation and recommendations for the future. 137
References. 140
A1. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL TO CHAPTER 3. 141
A2. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL TO CHAPTER 4. 158
A3. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL TO CHAPTER 5. 226
About this Dissertation
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