Does being more motivated by food than other activities affect a young child’s weight?
This study examined whether preschool-aged children who were more motivated to work for food than a non-food reward had higher body weight or body fat.
What We Did and Why We Did It
We recruited 33 children aged 3 years from Guelph, Ontario. During two study visits, children completed a task that measured how hard they were willing to work to earn either their favourite cookie or a non-food reward (an audiobook). Researchers measured each child’s height, weight, and percent body fat using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Statistical analyses were then used to examine whether children’s preference for working toward food, compared with a non-food reward, was associated with BMI z-score and percent body fat.
Some children may find food more rewarding than other enjoyable activities, which could increase their risk of overeating and weight gain. While previous research has found this relationship in older children, few studies have examined it in preschool-aged children. Understanding whether food motivation is linked to body weight early in life may help identify children who are at greater risk of developing obesity.
What We Found
What We Can Learn From This
Children who were more motivated to work for food than for a non-food reward had higher BMI z-scores. Children who were more motivated by the audiobook tended to have lower BMI z-scores. However, motivation for food was not significantly associated with percent body fat. These findings suggest that a stronger preference for food over non-food rewards may be related to higher body weight, even in very young children.
Children’s motivation for food may be an early behavioural factor associated with body weight. Providing engaging non-food activities and encouraging healthy relationships with food may help support healthy growth and reduce obesity risk. These findings also highlight the importance of understanding children’s eating behaviours during the preschool years, when lifelong habits are developing.
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