How Children Respond to Feeling Full May Help Predict Future

How Children Respond to Feeling Full May Help Predict Future Obesity Risk

A new study suggests that how children respond to feeling full may help predict their risk of obesity later in life.

The study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, found that children who were more responsive to feeling full were less likely to be overweight or obese at age 18.

"Our findings suggest that children who are more sensitive to feeling full may be better able to regulate their food intake and maintain a healthy weight," said lead author Dr. Kathryn Dewey, a professor of nutrition at the University of California, Davis.

The study included over 2,000 children who were followed from birth to age 18. The children's food intake and weight were measured at regular intervals.

The researchers found that children who were more responsive to feeling full at age 2 were less likely to be overweight or obese at age 18. This association was independent of other factors, such as the child's diet, physical activity level, and socioeconomic status.

"Our study provides evidence that early childhood feeding practices may play a role in preventing obesity later in life," said Dewey. "Parents and caregivers should encourage children to listen to their bodies and stop eating when they feel full."

The researchers believe that children who are more responsive to feeling full may be more likely to eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight because they are better able to regulate their food intake.

"Children who are more responsive to feeling full may be less likely to overeat, which can lead to weight gain and obesity," said Dewey. "Encouraging children to listen to their bodies and stop eating when they feel full can help them to maintain a healthy weight."

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