Analysis of the association of eating behavior and personality with obesity in children

Abstract

Objective To explore the mediation effect of eating behavior in the personality-obesity association, so as to provide scientific evidence for preventing childhood obesity in China.

Methods This study investigated 1 271 children in September 2018 among Beijing, Changzhi and Urumuqi. By used NEO-five Factor Inventory to assess characteristics of personality and used Children Eating Behavior Questionnaire to measure eating behaviors in children. Five obesity-related indicators [body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-score, waist circuinference, waist-to-hip ratio and body fat percentage] were derived from physical examination.

Results After adjusting for sex, age and region, the standardization scores of conscientiousness were negatively associated with BMI ( B = −0.227, 95% CI=−0.422–−0.031), BMI Z-score ( B = −0.081, 95% CI=−0.158–−0.006), waist circumference ( B = −0.720, 95% CI =−1.281–−0.159), waist-to-hip ratio ( B = −0.004, 95% CI = −0.007–−0.001) and body fat percentage ( B = −0.727, 95% CI = −1.293–−0.162) ( P<0.05). Results from the mediation analysis showed that the associations between conscientiousness and BMI, BMI Z-score, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and body fat percentage were partly mediated through food responsiveness and emotional eating behaviors; with effects ranged from 27.5%–47.1% and 0.9%–18.0% ( P<0.05).

Conclusion Conscientiousness is associated with lower risk of childhood obesity and food responsiveness and emotional eating behaviors show mediating effect in the association between childhood personality and obesity. Health education should be carried out in time for children with low conscientiousness in order to prevent the occurrence of obesity in the early stage.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨饮食行为在人格特征与儿童肥胖关联中的作用, 为有效预防中国儿童肥胖提供科学依据。 方法 2018 年 9 月在北京、山西长治、新疆乌鲁木齐 3 个地区调査 1 271 名小学四年级儿童。采用大五人格量表简表测量人格特 征, 使用儿童饮食行为问卷测量儿童饮食行为, 通过体格检査获取 5 个肥胖相关指标[体质量指数 (BMI)、BMI Z 评分、腰 围、腰臀围比和体脂百分比]。 结果 校正性别、年龄和地区后, 严谨性人格标准化评分与儿童 BMI ( B = −0.227, 95% CI = −0.422~−0.031)、BMI Z 评分 ( B = −0.081, 95% CI =−0.158~−0.006)、腰围 ( B = −0.720, 95% CI =−1.281~−0.159)、腰臀围比 ( B = −0.004, 95% CI =−0.007~−0.001) 和体脂百分比 ( B =−0.727, 95% CI =−1.293~−0.162) 均呈负相关 ( P 值均 <0.05)。中 介作用分析结果显示, 严谨性人格可能通过食物响应和情绪性过食行为影响 BMI、BMI Z 评分、腰围、腰臀围比和体脂百分 比;食物响应和情绪性过食行为在严谨性人格与 5 个肥胖相关指标的中介作用占总效应的比例分别为 27.5%~47.1% 和 0.9%~18.0% ( P 值均<0.05)。 结论 严谨性人格与较低的儿童肥胖风险相关, 食物响应和情绪性过食行为是两者关联的 中介因素。应针对严谨性较低的儿童及时开展健康教育, 以早期预防肥胖的发生。