Appetitive behaviours of children attending obesity treatment

Associations between appetite and adiposity have not been examined in clinical samples of obese children. The Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) was used to compare appetite in community (n = 406) and clinical (n = 66) samples. Clear graded patterns were seen for food responsiveness and emotional overeating; levels increased with increasing BMI SDS and the clinical sample scored highest. The reverse was seen for satiety responsiveness/slowness in eating. Differences were not solely explained by weight differences, suggesting that the clinical sample had more pronounced ‘obesogenic’ appetitive traits. This could make adherence to dietary guidance difficult.

► Appetitive traits were compared in community (n=406) and clinical (n=66) samples.
► Satiety responsiveness/ slowness in eating decreased as weight increased (lowest in clinical).
► Food responsiveness and emotional overeating increased as weight increased (clinical highest).
► Differences could not be solely explained by weight differences.