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Abstract Background Oral sensory hypersensitivity has been linked with fussy eating predominantly in non-typically developing children. We hypothesized that child ‘Oral’ (touch, smell and taste in the mouth) and ‘Social-Emotional’ (response to social expectations) sensory processing are associated with child appetitive traits in typically developing preteen children. Additionally, we explored relationships between maternal sensory profiles and their offspring’s sensory profile. Methods This is secondary analysis of 130 mother-child dyads from the 9–11-year-old follow-up of the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study. The Dunn Sensory Profile (Adolescent/Adult) and the Dunn Child Sensory Profile 2 were used to assess maternal and child sensory profiles, respectively. The Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire was used to assess child appetitive traits. Multiple linear regression examined associations between ‘Oral’ and ‘Social-Emotional’ segments of the child sensory profile and child appetitive traits. Associations between maternal and child sensory profiles were examined using sensory profile quadrants (Dunn’s sensory processing framework). These refer to four distinct patterns of sensory processing that indicate how an individual responds to sensory input. Results In total, 130 mother-child dyads were included. In adjusted analysis child ‘Oral’ sensory processing was associated with higher mean scores in the appetitive traits ‘Desire to Drink’ (B = 0.044, 95% CI = 0.025,0.062) and ‘Food Fussiness’ (B = 0.080, 95% CI = 0.059,0.101) and with lower mean scores in ‘Enjoyment of Food’ (B=-0.038, 95% CI -0.055,-0.022). Child ‘Social-Emotional’ responses were associated with higher mean scores in ‘Desire to Drink’ and ‘Food Fussiness’. Higher scores in the maternal sensory profile quadrants of ‘Sensitivity’, ‘Avoiding’ and ‘Registration’ were positively associated with higher scores in the corresponding child sensory profile quadrants. Conclusion Our findings suggest that in typically developing children presenting with fussy eating, oral sensory hypersensitivity and higher scores in social-emotional responses to sensory processing may be an underlying determinant. The relationship observed between ‘Oral’ and ‘Social-Emotional’ sensory processing segments and ‘Desire to Drink’ requires further research to ascertain the type of drinks being consumed and how this impacts appetite. Further research is also required to explore the influence of maternal sensory profile on their offsprings response to sensory input.

Abstract Background Macrosomia (birthweight ≥ 4 kg or ≥ 4.5 kg) is strongly associated with a predisposition to childhood obesity, which in turn is linked with adverse cardiometabolic health. Despite this, there is a lack of longitudinal investigation on the impact of high birthweight on cardiometabolic outcomes in youth. The preteen period represents an important window of opportunity to further explore this link, to potentially prevent cardiometabolic profiles worsening during puberty. Methods This is a secondary analysis of 9–11-year-olds (n = 405) born to mothers in the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study, who previously delivered an infant with macrosomia. Preteens were dichotomised into those born with and without macrosomia, using two common cut-off criteria (birthweight ≥ 4 kg (n = 208) and

Abstract Background Cardiovascular fitness is strongly linked with metabolic risk; however, research is limited in preschool children. Although there is currently no simple validated measure of fitness in preschool children, heart rate recovery has been highlighted as an easily accessible and non-invasive predictor of cardiovascular risk in school-aged children and adolescents. We aimed to investigate whether heart rate recovery was associated with adiposity and blood pressure in 5-year-olds. Study design This is a secondary analysis of 272 5-year-olds from the ROLO (Randomised cOntrol trial of LOw glycaemic index diet in pregnancy to prevent recurrence of macrosomia) Kids study. Three-minute step tests were completed by 272 participants to determine heart rate recovery duration. Body mass index (BMI), circumferences, skinfold thickness, heart rate, and blood pressure were collected. Independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-square tests were used to compare participants. Linear regression models examined associations between heart rate recovery and child adiposity. Confounders included child sex, age at study visit, breastfeeding, and perceived effort in the step test. Results The median (IQR) age at the study visit was 5.13 (0.16) years. 16.2% (n = 44) had overweight and 4.4% (n = 12) had obesity based on their BMI centile. Boys had a quicker mean (SD) heart rate recovery after the step test than girls (112.5 (47.7) seconds vs. 128.8 (62.5) seconds, p = 0.02). Participants with a slower recovery time (> 105 s) had higher median (IQR) sum of skinfolds (35.5 (11.8) mm vs. 34.0 (10.0) mm, p = 0.02) and median (IQR) sum of subscapular and triceps skinfold (15.6 (4.4) mm vs. 14.4 (4.0) mm, p = 0.02) compared to participants with a quicker recovery time. After adjusting for confounders (child sex, age at study visit, breastfeeding, effort in the step test), linear regression analyses revealed heart rate recovery time after stepping was positively associated with sum of skinfolds (B = 0.034, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.06, p = 0.007). Conclusion Child adiposity was positively associated with heart rate recovery time after the step test. A simple stepping test could be used as a non-invasive and inexpensive fitness tool in 5-year-olds. Additional research is needed to validate the ROLO Kids step test in preschool children.

Plain English summary The ROLO pregnancy study took place in the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin Ireland. It started in 2007 and ended in 2011. The researchers recorded what women were eating. They also measured the weight of the baby at birth. Since then, ROLO mothers and their children were invited to come back to the study. Now the children of the study are 9–11 years of age. The researchers invited members of the ROLO study to speak with them. They wanted to know what research was important to them. They set up a group called the ROLO Family Advisory Committee in 2017. This group of parents and researchers meet once a year. The group thought it was important to include children as well. They made a new group called the ROLO Young Person’s Advisory Group in 2020. The group has 7 ROLO children and 6 older siblings. The members are aged between 9 and 15-years-old. The children and researchers have met four times so far. The researchers found four key themes. Study children saw their identity as being part of a longitudinal birth cohort as positive and unique. Study children liked the fitness test and body measurements. All children thought that social media was an important form of communication. All children were interested in learning new information on how their bodies worked. Involving this group of children is important. It will make our research more relevant. Other researchers who want to involve children can learn from our experience.