Investigation of the relationship between infant temperament and later body composition.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ability of maternally-rated infant temperament to predict fatness and activity patterns in early childhood.


METHODS
Longitudinal investigation of infants studied at 12 weeks and followed up at 2-3.5 y of age.


METHODS
Thirty healthy full-term infants from the general population.


METHODS
Body composition, behavioural activity and temperament at 12 weeks; anthropometry, body composition, diet and behavioural activity at follow-up.


RESULTS
Infant temperament predicted later behaviour and fatness. Easily soothable infants had leaner childhood skinfold thicknesses (P < 0.02) and were more active in childhood (P < 0.025). Infant distress was also related to childhood diet composition.


CONCLUSIONS
Infant temperament can predict later body composition and behaviour. Both energy intake and energy expenditure may be mechanisms by which the relationship develops.
Wells
J C
JC
Infant and Child Nutrition Group, Dunn Nutrition Unit, Cambridge.
Stanley
M
M
Laidlaw
A S
AS
Day
J M
JM
Stafford
M
M
Davies
P S
PS
D000367:Age Factors; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001824:Body Constitution; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament / Q000502:physiology*
D004041:Dietary Fats