Study Time after School and Habitual Eating Are Associated with Risk for Obesity among Overweight Korean Children: A Prospective Study

Objective: To investigate behavioral factors that contribute to the development of obesity among overweight children. Methods: Among a community sample of 884 children aged 9-13 years, 833 children completed a baseline and 1-year follow-up examination that included anthropometrics, physical fitness, and behavioral factors. Results: During the follow-up period, BMI for most children with normal weight or obesity did not change. However, among overweight children (n = 100), about one-third developed obesity (n = 26), while the others were categorized as normal weight (n = 32) or overweight (n = 42) after 1 year. Characteristics of overweight children at baseline and follow-up were analyzed. Those who developed obesity showed a notable increase in blood pressure as well as in BMI, waist circumference, and body fat over 1 year. At baseline, this group spent more time studying after school compared to overweight children who did not develop obesity, while there were no differences in time spent viewing television or engaging in vigorous physical activity. Eating outside the home, fast food consumption, and habitual eating in the absence of hunger were more common at baseline in those who did versus those who did not develop obesity. After adjusting for age, sex, and BMI, spending more time studying after school and habitual eating without hunger were associated with the development of obesity. Conclusion: Among Korean overweight children, study time after school and habitual eating without hunger were associated with an increased risk for development of obesity.