About The Study: Lower cognitive performance and greater psychopathology at baseline were associated with increased weight gain as children entered adolescence, and higher baseline body mass index was associated with more depressive symptoms over time. These longitudinal findings highlight the importance of cognitive and mental health to children’s healthy weight development and suggest that clinicians should monitor children with overweight or obesity for increased depression problems.
About The Study: Lower cognitive performance and greater psychopathology at baseline were associated with increased weight gain as children entered adolescence, and higher baseline body mass index was associated with more depressive symptoms over time. These longitudinal findings highlight the importance of cognitive and mental health to children’s healthy weight development and suggest that clinicians should monitor children with overweight or obesity for increased depression problems.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Tamara Hershey, Ph.D., email tammy@wustl.edu.
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link
(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.1379)
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.
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Journal
JAMA Pediatrics
Cite Scienmag News
Glenn Wilkins. (June 3, 2024). Weight indices, cognition, and mental health from childhood to early adolescence. Scienmag. https://scienmag.com/weight-indices-cognition-and-mental-health-from-childhood-to-early-adolescence/
Glenn Wilkins. "Weight indices, cognition, and mental health from childhood to early adolescence." Scienmag, 3 June 2024, https://scienmag.com/weight-indices-cognition-and-mental-health-from-childhood-to-early-adolescence/. Accessed 4 September 2026.
Glenn Wilkins. "Weight indices, cognition, and mental health from childhood to early adolescence." Scienmag. June 3, 2024. https://scienmag.com/weight-indices-cognition-and-mental-health-from-childhood-to-early-adolescence/
