Association between genetic obesity susceptibility and mother-reported eating behaviour in children up to 5 years.

BACKGROUND: Many genetic polymorphisms identified by genome-wide association studies for adult body mass index (BMI) have been suggested to regulate food intake. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study the associations between a genetic obesity risk score, appetitive traits, and growth of children up to age 5 years, with a longitudinal design. METHODS: In 1142 children from the Etude des Déterminants pre et post natals de la santé de l'ENfant (EDEN) birth cohort, a combined obesity risk-allele score (BMI genetic risk score [GRS]) was related to appetitive traits (energy intake up to 12 mo, a single item on appetite from 4 mo to 3 y, a validated appetite score at 5 y) using Poisson regressions with robust standard errors. The potential mediation of appetitive traits on the association between BMI-GRS and growth was assessed by the Sobel test. RESULTS: Children with a high BMI-GRS were more likely to have high energy intake at 1 year and high appetite at 2 and 5 years. High energy intake in infancy and high appetite from 1 year were related to higher subsequent BMI. High 2-year appetite seemed to partially mediate the associations between BMI-GRS and BMI from 2 to 5 years (all P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic susceptibility to childhood obesity seems to be partially explained by appetitive traits in infancy, followed by an early childhood rise in BMI.The EDEN study is supported by Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM), French Ministry of Research: Federative Research Institutes and Cohort Program, INSERM Human Nutrition National Research Program, and Diabetes National Research Program (through a collaboration with the French Association of Diabetic Patients [AFD]), French Ministry of Health, French Agency for Environment Security (AFSSET), French National Institute for Population Health Surveillance (InVS), Paris‐Sud University, French National Institute for Health Education (INPES), Nestlé, Mutuelle Générale de l'Education Nationale (MGEN), French‐speaking Association for the Study of Diabetes and Metabolism (ALFEDIAM), National Agency for Research (ANR non‐thematic programme), and National Institute for Research in Public Health (IRESP: TGIR 2008 cohort in health programme). The genotyping was funded by a Collaborative Research Grant from the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology. K.K.O. is supported by the Medical Research Council (unit program: MC_UU_12015/2)

Temperament in infancy and behavioral and emotional problems at age 5.5: The EDEN mother-child cohort.

OBJECTIVE:Early temperamental characteristics may influence children's developmental pathways and predict future psychopathology. However, the environmental context may also shape or interact with infant temperament and indirectly contribute to increased vulnerability to adverse developmental outcomes. The aim of the present study is to explore the long-term contribution of temperamental traits at twelve months of age to the presence of emotional and behavioral problems later in childhood, and whether this association varies with the child's sex, parental separation, family socioeconomic status and maternal depression. METHOD:1184 mother-child pairs from the EDEN mother-child birth cohort study based in France (2003-2011), were followed from 24-28 weeks of pregnancy to the child's fifth birthday. Infant temperament at 12 months was assessed with the Emotionality Activity and Sociability (EAS) questionnaire and behavior at 5.5 years was assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). RESULTS:Emotional temperament in infancy predicts children's overall behavioral scores (β = 1.16, p<0.001), emotional difficulties (β = 0.30, p<0.001), conduct problems (β = 0.51, p<0.001) and symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention (β = 0.31, p = 0.01) at 5.5 years. Infants' active temperament predicts later conduct problems (β = 0.30, p = 0.02), while shyness predicts later emotional problems (β = 0.22, p = 0.04). The association between the child's temperament in infancy and later behavior did not vary with children's own or family characteristics. CONCLUSION:An emotional temperament in infancy is associated with higher levels of emotional and behavioral difficulties at the age of 5.5 years. Children who show high emotionality early on may require early prevention and intervention efforts to divert possible adverse developmental pathways

Dietary patterns track from infancy to preschool age: cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives

Background. While it has been suggested that dietary patterns emerge early in life, less is known about the extent to which they track over toddlerhood and preschool ages.Objective. The objectives were to derive cross-sectional dietary patterns at 2, 3 and 5 y and assess their correlations; and to derive multi-time-point dietary patterns from 2 to 5 y and assess their associations with socio-demographic factors and infant feeding patterns.Methods. Depending on the age considered, analyses included 989 to 1422 children from the EDEN mother-child cohort. Dietary intake was collected using FFQs at 2, 3 and 5 y. Principal component analyses were applied to these data, first cross-sectionally at each age, then longitudinally accounting for the data collected at all three ages. Tracking between patterns was estimated by Spearman correlation coefficients and associations with either the infant feeding patterns or the demographic and socio-economic factors were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyzes.Results. Overall, we derived two main cross-sectional patterns labelled “Processed, fast foods” and “Guidelines”, the latter being characterized by intakes approximating age-specific dietary guidelines; and two multi-time-point dietary patterns which corresponded to consistent exposures to similar foods across the three ages. The first, labelled “Processed, fast-foods at 2, 3 and 5 y”, was inversely associated with maternal education and age, and positively to the presence of older sibling(s). The second, called “Guidelines at 2, 3 and 5 y”, was predicted by maternal education. Moderate tracking was observed between similar patterns assessed at different ages.Conclusions. Our findings confirmed the emergence of dietary profiles socially differentiated early in life as well as a moderate tracking of the diet. The promotion of healthy dietary trajectories should be encouraged as soon as infancy, in particular in the presence of older siblings and amongst the most socially disadvantaged population groups

Predicting changes in language skills between 2 and 3 years in the EDEN mother–child cohort

International audienceObjective. To examine the factors predicting changes in language skills between 2 and 3 years. Methods. By using longitudinal data concerning 1002 children from the EDEN study, linear regression was used to predict 3-year language performance from 2-year language performance and the risk factors associated with language delays. Logistic regressions were performed to examine two change trajectories: children who fall be-low the 10th percentile of language skills between 2 and 3 years (declining trajectory), and those who rose above the 10th percentile (resilient trajectory). Results. The final linear model accounted for 43% of the variance in 3-year language scores, with 2-year language scores accounting for 22%. Exposure to alcohol during pregnancy, earlier birth term, lower level of parental education and lower frequency of maternal stimulation were associated with the declining trajectory. Breastfeeding was associated with the resilient trajectory. Conclusions. This study provides a better understanding of the natural history of early language delays by identifying biological and social factors that predict changes in language skills between the ages of 2 and 3 years

Effects of Antenatal Maternal Depression and Anxiety on Children's Early Cognitive Development: A Prospective Cohort Study

International audienceIntroductionStudies have shown that depression or anxiety occur in 10–20% of pregnant women. These disorders are often undertreated and may affect mothers and children’s health. This study investigates the relation between antenatal maternal depression, anxiety and children’s early cognitive development among 1380 two-year-old children and 1227 three-year-old children.MethodsIn the French EDEN Mother-Child Cohort Study, language ability was assessed with the Communicative Development Inventory at 2 years of age and overall development with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire at 3 years of age. Multiple regressions and structural equation modeling were used to examine links between depression, anxiety during pregnancy and child cognitive development.ResultsWe found strong significant associations between maternal antenatal anxiety and poorer children’s cognitive development at 2 and 3 years. Antenatal maternal depression was not associated with child development, except when antenatal maternal anxiety was also present. Both postnatal maternal depression and parental stimulation appeared to play mediating roles in the relation between antenatal maternal anxiety and children’s cognitive development. At 3 years, parental stimulation mediated 13.2% of the effect of antenatal maternal anxiety while postnatal maternal depression mediated 26.5%.DiscussionThe partial nature of these effects suggests that other mediators may play a role. Implications for theory and research on child development are discussed

Domain-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior during pregnancy and postpartum depression risk in the French EDEN and ELFE cohorts

International audienceThe potential beneficial effects of physical activity during pregnancy on postpartum depressive symptoms (PPD) remain inconclusive. Using data from two prospective French birth cohorts, we aimed to examine the relationship between domain-specific physical activity (including leisure-time sedentary behavior) in pregnancy and the occurrence of PPD. Participants of the ELFE cohort (n = 15,538) completed the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), which assesses the following physical activity/sedentary behavior domains: household/caregiving, occupational, sports/exercise, transportation and leisure-time sedentary behavior during the third pregnancy trimester. In the EDEN cohort (n = 1745) women completed the Baecke Questionnaire (BQ) measuring occupational, sports/exercise, and leisure-time activity during the first trimester of pregnancy. Depressive symptoms in the first postpartum year were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in both cohorts. Associations of physical activity/sedentary behavior with PPD symptoms were determined by logistic regression analysis, with adjustment on potential confounding factors. In the adjusted models, higher levels of household/caregiving activities (OR = 1.10 (95% CI 1.01-1.19)) and leisure-time sedentary behavior (OR = 1.16 (95% CI 1.06-1.23)), in the third pregnancy trimester were associated with an increased odds of PPD. No significant associations were found for physical activity domains during the first pregnancy trimester. Higher levels of household and caregiving activities and leisure-time sedentary behavior in the last trimester of pregnancy appear to increase the likelihood of postpartum depression. Purpose and context should be taken into account when encouraging physical activity as a strategy to help prevent postpartum mental health problems from pregnancy onwards. Reducing sedentary behavior could be a complementary strategy

Human health risks related to the consumption of foodstuffs of animal origin contaminated by bisphenol A

International audienceBisphenol A (BPA) is used in a wide variety of products and objects for consumers use (digital media such as CD's and DVD's, sport equipment, food and beverage containers, medical equipment). For humans, the main route of exposure to BPA is food. Based on previous estimates, almost 20% of the dietary exposure to BPA in the French population would be from food of animal origin. However, due to the use of composite samples, the source of the contamination had not been identified. Therefore, 322 individual samples of non-canned foods of animal origin were collected with the objectives of first updating the estimation of the exposure of the French population and second identifying the source of contamination of these foodstuffs using a specific analytical method. Compared to previous estimates in France, a decline in the contamination of the samples was observed, in particular with regard to meat. The estimated mean dietary exposures ranged from 0.048 to 0.050 μg (kg bw)(-1) d(-1) for 3-17 year children and adolescents, from 0.034 to 0.035 μg (kg bw)(-1) d(-1) for adults and from 0.047 to 0.049 μg (kg bw)(-1) d(-1) for pregnant women. The contribution of meat to total dietary exposure of pregnant women, adults and children was up to three times lower than the previous estimates. Despite this downward trend in contamination, the toxicological values were observed to have been exceeded for the population of pregnant women. With the aim of acquiring more knowledge about the origin the potential source(s) of contamination of non-canned foods of animal origin, a specific analytical method was developed to directly identify and quantify the presence of conjugated BPA (BPA-monoglucuronide, BPA-diglucuronide and sulphate forms) in 50 samples. No conjugated forms of BPAs were detected in the analysed samples, indicating clearly that BPA content in animal food was not due to metabolism but arise post mortem in food. This contamination may occur during food production. However, despite extensive sampling performed in several different shops (butcheries, supermarkets ....) and in different conditions (fresh, prepared, frozen ...), the source(s) of the contamination could not be specifically identified

Socioeconomic inequalities in weight, height and body mass index from birth to 5 years

Background/Objectives: Studies in high income countries show that despite the positive association of weight with socioeconomic position at birth, an inverse socioeconomic gradient in overweight (OW) appears later in childhood. The objectives were to understand the natural history of socioeconomic inequalities in weight, height and body mass index (BMI), by investigating their associations with maternal educational level between birth and five years, separately in boys and girls.Subjects/Methods: A published work of growth modelling between birth and 5 years allowed us to calculate predicted weight, height and BMI at 1 month, 6 months, 1, 3 and 5 years for 1735 children from the French EDEN mother-child cohort. Associations between maternal education and predicted measures of body size were analysed with marginal linear and logistic models, stratified by sex. Results: In girls, despite a positive association between maternal education and birthweight, an inverse socioeconomic gradient was observed as early as 1 month for BMI. Girls whose mothers had low education levels were shorter on the whole than their counterparts with better-educated mothers, despite their similar weights. In boys, no socioeconomic gradient in BMI was observed at any age, including birth, but positive associations were found as early as 1 month for both weight and height. Conclusion: The emergence of an inverse socioeconomic gradient in BMI and OW apparently results from a complex pattern of socioeconomic inequalities in weight and height from 1 month onwards. The very start of life thus appears to be an important window of opportunity for addressing socioeconomic inequalities in growth

Prospective associations between energy balance-related behaviors at 2 years of age and subsequent adiposity: the EDEN mother–child cohort

Background/Objectives Sedentary behavior, physical activity and dietary behavior are formed early during childhood and tend to remain relatively stable into later life. No longitudinal studies have assessed the independent influence of these three energy balance-related behaviors during toddlerhood on later adiposity. We aimed to analyze the associations between screen time, outdoor play time, and dietary patterns at age 2 years and child adiposity at age 5, in boys and girls separately.Subjects/Methods This study included 883 children from the French EDEN mother-child cohort. Screen time, outdoor play time and dietary intakes were reported by parents in questionnaires when the child was aged 2. Two dietary patterns, labelled “Guidelines” and “Processed, fast-foods”, were identified in a previous study. Percentage of body fat (%BF) based on bioelectrical impedance analysis and body mass index were measured at age 5. Results In boys, screen time at age 2 was positively associated with %BF at age 5 (β= 0.51 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.02, 1.01) for those boys with ≥60 min/day of screen time vs. those with ≤15 min/day, P for trend 0.045). In girls, outdoor play was inversely associated with %BF (β= -0.93 (95%CI: -1.58, -0.28) for those in the highest tertile of outdoor play time vs. those in the lowest tertile, P= 0.002). Overall, at age 2, dietary patterns were associated with both screen time and outdoor play time, but no significant and independent association was observed between dietary patterns and later adiposity. Conclusion This study shows longitudinal and gender differentiated relations between both screen time and outdoor play time in toddlerhood and later adiposity, while evidence for a relation between dietary patterns and subsequent fat development was less conclusive. Early childhood - by age 2 - should be targeted as a critical time for promoting healthy energy balance-related behaviors

Association between genetic obesity susceptibility and mother-reported eating behavior in children up to 5 years: genetic obesity risk and child’s eating behavior

International audienceBACKGROUND:Many genetic polymorphisms identified by genome-wide association studies for adult body mass index (BMI) have been suggested to regulate food intake.OBJECTIVE:The objective was to study the associations between a genetic obesity risk score, appetitive traits, and growth of children up to age 5 years, with a longitudinal design.METHODS:In 1142 children from the Etude des Déterminants pre et post natals de la santé de l'ENfant (EDEN) birth cohort, a combined obesity risk-allele score (BMI genetic risk score [GRS]) was related to appetitive traits (energy intake up to 12 mo, a single item on appetite from 4 mo to 3 y, a validated appetite score at 5 y) using Poisson regressions with robust standard errors. The potential mediation of appetitive traits on the association between BMI-GRS and growth was assessed by the Sobel test.RESULTS:Children with a high BMI-GRS were more likely to have high energy intake at 1 year and high appetite at 2 and 5 years. High energy intake in infancy and high appetite from 1 year were related to higher subsequent BMI. High 2-year appetite seemed to partially mediate the associations between BMI-GRS and BMI from 2 to 5 years (all P ≤ 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Genetic susceptibility to childhood obesity seems to be partially explained by appetitive traits in infancy, followed by an early childhood rise in BMI