Biopsychosocial pathways model of early childhood appetite self-regulation: Temperament as a key to modulation of interactions among systems

Abstract

The widespread discrimination against individuals with obesity often stems from a simplistic perception of obesity as a mere consequence of personal choices of overeating and insufficient physical activity. This reductionist perception fails to acknowledge the complexity of the epidemic of obesity, which extends beyond diet and exercise decisions. The concept of appetite self-regulation (ASR) has been explored as a crucial element in identifying obesogenic behavioral approaches to food. Although an extensive understanding of ASR in children is essential as an early precursor and modifiable factor influencing obesity, the prevailing view of self-regulation of eating solely as a matter of cognitive and behavioral processing tends to overlook interacting systems of influences. This narrow approach attributes obesity to the lack of voluntary self-control in food consumption while neglecting to account for the biological, psychological, and social influences implicated in the developmental processes of ASR, which may further contribute to the stigmatization of obesity. The current critical analysis provides a comprehensive developmental framework that could guide future studies with testable hypotheses, outlining pathways of interactions among biopsychosocial systems, all of which contribute to the development of ASR in early childhood. Adopting developmental perspectives allows a holistic approach to investigating ASR, which accounts for intricate interactions between biological (B), psychological (P), and social (S) factors influential in the early manifestation of ASR.