Early childhood risk factors for unhealthy weight control behaviour in adolescents

Objectives

To assess the childhood risk and protective factors that are associated with unhealthy weight control behaviours (UWCB) in adolescence.

Study design

Longitudinal study.

Methods

The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children Kindergarten cohort waves 1, collected in 2004 (4–5 years, N = 4985), and wave 6 collected in 2014 (14–15 years) was used. Predictor variables at wave 1 included gender, country of birth, study child weight category (from BMI z score), social development score, screen time, childhood injury, primary carer mental illness status, teacher conflict scale, stressful life events, socioeconomic position and an interaction term, study child weight category (from BMI z score) and stressful life events. UWCBs were measured at wave 6. Multivariable logistic modelling using odds ratio was used to explore the predictors of UWCB at wave 6.

Results

Statistically significant risk factors at age 4–5 years for UWCB at age 14–15 years included female sex (OR = 1.81, 95 % CI 1.28, 2.55), obese weight compared to healthy weight (OR = 3.72, 95 % CI 1.56, 8.84) and study child injured more than once (OR = 2.08, 95 % CI 1.13, 3.82). The statistically significant protective factor included a one-point increase in socioeconomic position (OR = 0.76, 95 % CI 0.65, 0.90) and underweight compared to healthy weight (OR = 0.15, 95 % CI 0.03, 0.74). However, underweight individuals who experienced stressful life events had an increased risk of UWCB (OR = 1.50, 95 % CI 1.01, 2.22).

Conclusions

This study has identified the childhood risk factors for adolescent UWCB. Risk factors that may have potential to be reduced include childhood injury and stressful life events, with the analysis identifying that underweight individuals within these groups are at a heightened risk. Therefore, development of interventions targeting these modifiable stressful events in childhood need to be established and evaluated.