Lack of self control in children linked with obesity: Study

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhuanet) -- A new research shows children who lack
willingness to delay gratification are more likely to be overweight later in
life.

A new research shows children who lack willingness to delay gratification are more likely to be overweight later in life. (File photo)

According to researchers with Penn State University, "our findings support
recent studies showing that obesity is a problem that has its roots early in
life and that early self-regulation failure may play a role in predicting
overweight and obesity in the adolescent years."

The researchers said that the findings are encouraging because by teaching
children self control early in their lives, particularly between the ages of 3
and 5, they may be able to prevent themselves from becoming overweight as they
get older.

"We think a lot about obesity interventions, about prevention and focusing on
eating healthy and exercising more," says Dr. Julie Lumeng, a pediatrician at
the University of Michigan and an author of one of the current papers on
children's behavior and weight. "But all of us, including doctors, are
struggling because those interventions are not wildly successful."

The findings show that programs designed to improve self-regulation skills in
general domains of behavior produced significant decreases in weight status and
adiposity, as well as improvements in children's attitudes toward appetite
control, and obesity-promoting behaviors (i.e., food choices and television
viewing).