1 Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke W Street, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada.
2 Eating Disorders Continuum & Douglas Research Centre, Montreal West Island Integrated Health and Social Services Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6603 LaSalle Blvd, Verdun, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada.
3 CHU Sainte-Justine Azrieli Research Center, 3175 Chem. De la Côte- Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.
4 Department of Fundamental Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 de l'Université Blvd, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H 2B1, Canada.
5 School of Public Health, University of Montreal, 7101 du Parc Ave, Montreal, QC, H3N 1X9, Canada.
6 School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
7 School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, 2900 Édouard- Montpetit Blvd, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
8 Department of Psychology, University Laval, 2325 des Bibliothèques Street, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
9 Department of Psychology and Pediatrics, University of Montreal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit Blvd, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
10 Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke W Street, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada. linda.booij@mcgill.ca.
11 Eating Disorders Continuum & Douglas Research Centre, Montreal West Island Integrated Health and Social Services Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6603 LaSalle Blvd, Verdun, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada. linda.booij@mcgill.ca.
12 CHU Sainte-Justine Azrieli Research Center, 3175 Chem. De la Côte- Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada. linda.booij@mcgill.ca.
13 Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Ave W, H3A 1A1, Montreal, QC, Canada. linda.booij@mcgill.ca.

Objective: Several studies have shown that maladaptive eating behaviors in childhood predict greater risk for eating disorders in adolescence. Whether or not maladaptive eating behaviors could represent developmental risk factors for a larger spectrum of psychopathologies is unknown. This study described longitudinal trajectories of overeating and picky eating behaviors in boys and girls from ages 2.5 to 6 years. We then examined whether these developmental trajectories in childhood are associated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms during mid-adolescence (age 15).

Methods: 2 014 participants were recruited at birth as part of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Mothers completed a measure of childhood eating behaviors at 29, 41, 44-56, 56-68 months, and 6 years old. Participants completed the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment for Adolescents at age 15. Latent class analyses and univariate regression analyses were conducted.

Results: The optimal model for overeating behaviors had three trajectory groups (early-onset overeating; 14.1%, late-onset overeating; 24.3%, and never-displayed overeating; 61.6%). Three stable trajectory groups were found for picky eating behaviors (high level; 7.1%, mid-level; 37.4%, low level; 55.5%). Higher overeating behaviors in childhood were associated with greater impulsivity, hyperactivity, and anxiety in adolescence in girls but not in boys. Trajectories of picky eating were not linked with mental-health symptoms in adolescence.

Conclusions: Overeating behaviors appear less stable over time than picky eating behaviors. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological well-being and ADHD symptoms in children who overeat, particularly in girls, rather than focusing solely on healthy eating habits.