ABSTRACT
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the association between behavior problems and excess of weight (overweight and obesity) in preschool children from a birth cohort in southern Brazil, followed from birth to four years old.
Methods
In the follow-up of four years, home interviews with mothers were carried out where information on the health and development of children were collected, in addition to application of the Child Behavior Checklist 4-18/CBCL.
Results
About 15% of boys and 12% of four-year girls were overweight/obese, and the association between behavior problems and excess of weight in this age occurred only with problems of anxiety-depression in girls (OR: 3.79 [95% CI: 1.60 to 8.97]; p = 0.002).
Conclusions
Preschool girls with excess of weight showed more problems of anxiety and depression than those with adequate weight at the same age. This information is extremely important, as the preschool years are ideal for investing in prevention of both behavioral problems and overweight/obesity, allowing to introduce healthier habits and behaviors and decrease thus the negative consequences both cause to children.
Behavioral problems; excess of weight; overweight; obesity; preschoolers