Appetitive traits in children aged 6 to 12 years: association with obesity and differences by gender

Background: Overweight and obesity in schoolchildren are a major public health problem in Mexico. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the association of appetitive traits with the presence of obesity and identify gender differences in children attending a university hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 176 children with obesity and 175 children with normal weight in the outpatient clinic of the Nuevo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara. The body mass index (BMI) of the participants was calculated. The parents completed the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire to measure eight appetitive traits. The mean appetitive trait scores were compared between children with obesity and normal weight, and between genders. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-tests for independent samples and regression analysis between appetite traits and BMI Z-scores. Results: The mean food responsiveness score (or food onset appetitive trait) was higher in children with obesity (p < 0.001), while the mean satiety responsiveness (or food offset trait) was higher in children with normal weight (p < 0.001). Normal weight males showed higher scores for Food responsiveness, Emotional over-eating, and Desire to drink (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Children with obesity show appetitive traits that could lead to higher food consumption. Normal weight males showed appetitive traits that could represent a risk of developing obesity.