Do Childhood Eating Habits Determine the Future? Exploring the Impact on Adolescent Health

1. What Research Shows: Eating Habits Can Be a "Thermometer of the Mind"

According to a news commentary, this study examined the trajectories of 2,014 children from the Quebec Birth Cohort, evaluating overeating (eating a lot even when not hungry) and picky eating (food preferences) assessed by mothers when the children were 2.5 to 6 years old, and their association with internalizing (e.g., anxiety) and externalizing (e.g., impulsivity, hyperactivity) symptoms at age 15. The results showed that for girls, those who belonged to the early (14.1%) or late-onset (24.3%) overeating trajectory in early childhood had higher scores of anxiety, impulsivity, and hyperactivity at age 15. No such association was found in boys, and picky eating was not associated with these symptoms regardless of gender. Although this study does not prove causation, it suggests that "overeating" could be a sign of emotional difficulties. BioMed Central

This point was also emphasized in news articles, with the senior author of the study, Professor Booij, stating, **"Frequent overeating may be a sign of emotional difficulties. Strict dietary restrictions can be counterproductive."** News-Medical

2. Why "Girls Only": The Intersection of Environment and Development

The authors mention that girls' eating behaviors tend to be more strictly monitored and regulated, and this socio-cultural pressure may partially explain the association. Hormonal changes during adolescence and gender differences in internalizing symptoms are also considered as background factors. Although the effect size is not large, the significance of reading "small signals" is substantial. BioMed Central

3. How to View "Picky Eating"?—Don't Worry Too Much, But Consult if There is Dysfunction

In this study, picky eating was not linked with adolescent symptoms. Picky eating in toddlers is a common developmental stage, and if it does not interfere with growth, emotional, or daily functioning, it should not be overly pathologized. The article also draws a line, stating, "It's different if it persists and hinders growth or functioning." News-Medical

4. Consistency with Existing Knowledge

A longitudinal study by UCL/Rotterdam in 2024 reported that high "food responsiveness" in early childhood is associated with eating disorder symptoms during adolescence. The current results are novel in that they extend the scope to include broader mental symptoms like **"anxiety, impulsivity, and hyperactivity."** Moreover, a large-scale Canadian study found that **consumption of sugary drinks is associated with the severity of later anxiety and depression symptoms**, supporting the bidirectional relationship between diet and mental health with increasing longitudinal data. News-Medical

5. Reactions on Social Media: Three Key Points

(1) Emphasizing "Emotional Support" over "Quantity Control"
With researchers themselves clearly stating that **"strict restrictions are counterproductive,"** practices like "not using food as a reward/punishment" and "first addressing emotions" were shared on platforms like X and parenting communities. On parenting-related Reddit threads, the idea of **"not using or forcing food for emotional regulation"** gained support. McGill University