Low Inhibitory Control and Restrictive Feeding Practices Predict Weight Outcomes

BMI over time in girls with low and high inhibitory control. Girls with lower inhibitory control tended to have a higher BMI at each time point, as well as a faster rate of BMI increase over time. Although the corresponding analyses reported in this manuscript were conducted with a continuous measure of inhibitory control, the categorical comparisons depicted in this figure were also statistically significant, including the comparisons between low and high inhibitory control groups at each time point (represented by the asterisks, all P < .05), as well as the comparison of the slopes of 2 lines (P < .05; low inhibitory control group, n = 41; high inhibitory control group, n = 151).

Average BMI change by inhibitory control and restriction groups, with corresponding BMI percentiles. Girls with lower inhibitory control and higher parental restrictive feeding tended to show the most weight gain over time and the highest BMIs at study termination. This group's average BMI crosses into the overweight range over time (> the 85th percentile for age and sex; CDC Growth Charts). This group's BMI and BMI change were significantly different from those of girls with higher inhibitory control (the bottom two lines). Different subscripts to the right of the lines indicate statistically significant differences between groups on average BMI change (slope) and age 15 BMI (P < .05; low IC/low restriction, n = 15; low IC/high restriction, n = 21; high IC/low restriction, n = 69; high IC/high restriction, n = 62).