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. DESIGN: Longitudinal investigation of infants studied at 12 weeks and followed up at 2–3.5 y of age. SUBJECTS: Thirty healthy full-term infants from the general population. MEASUREMENTS: 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.