Studies may have found a link between gratification, obesity
NEW YORK Youngsters who constantly seek instant gratification may become overweight as they get older, new studies suggest.
The two studies, published in the April issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, point out that while it is unclear if the delayed gratification response actually caused the weight issues, it provides insight to how the lack of self-discipline can possibly lead to other behaviors.
"We don't know if it's parenting or something innate to the kid," said Dr. Julie C. Lumeng, lead author of the food study and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School. "If you have a child that has difficulty delaying gratification, you could help that child learn those skills."
Previous studies have linked adult weight problems ? and such accompanying problems as heart disease and diabetes ? with weight issues earlier in life, although few had looked at a possible association with the ability to delay gratification.
For the first study, 805 4-year-olds were put in a room by themselves with one large plate and one small plate of candy, animal crackers or pretzels. They were told they could eat the larger plate if they waited for an adult to return. If they couldn't wait, they could ring a bell to summon the adult. Forty-seven percent of the participants "failed" the test either by ringing the bell or eating the snacks. Those who failed were 29% more likely to be overweight seven years later, at age 11. They were also more likely to have mothers who were overweight, which could reflect both genetic and environmental factors, the researchers stated.
The second study found similar results in a sample of 1,061 children who were 3 years old ? both with toys and, two years later, at age 5, with food. Like the first study, the children were asked to sit alone in a room with a toy for 150 seconds. If they waited at least 75 seconds to play with the toy, they "passed the test." At 5 years old, they participated in a similar food test.
Those who weren't able to wait in both scenarios had a higher body mass index (BMI, a ratio of weight to height) at age 12 and gained weight faster.
“This really gives people who are looking at obesity prevention, which is so critical at this time, something to develop an intervention around,” said Meg H. Zeller, assistant professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. “Pediatricians can do it, and parents understand the idea of delaying gratification. We live in such an immediate gratification environment.”
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