Khaberni - Preschool girls who regularly overeat exhibit signs of early emotional problems. A recent Canadian study found that these girls were more susceptible to anxiety, impulsivity, and hyperactivity during adolescence.
No similar association was found in boys, and children who are fussy eaters did not have a higher risk of mental health problems.
According to "Health Day", the study conducted at McGill University in Montreal reported that preschool girls who regularly overeat are also likely to suppress their emotions.
Emotional conflicts
The lead researcher Linda Boy said, "Overeating from time to time is normal, but if a child frequently overeats, it could be a sign of emotional conflicts."
In the study, researchers followed more than 2000 children from the Quebec region from early childhood up to the age of 15.
The researchers identified three patterns of overeating in preschool children: 60% never overate; 14% started overeating between the ages of 2 and 4; and 26% began overeating from around the age of 4.
Anxiety, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness
The results showed that girls, not boys, who began overeating at an early age were more likely than others to report anxiety, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness by the age of 15.
Boy said, "Dietary restriction is not the solution to help these young girls who may suffer from disorders."
She continued, "Strict monitoring can make things worse, and even increase the risk of eating disorders. Instead, parents and caregivers should also pay attention to the mental health of the children."
