Mediators of the association between childhood body mass index and educational attainment: Analysis of a UK prospective cohort study.

Background: Higher body mass index (BMI) in childhood is associated with lower academic achievement.

Objective: To explore potential pathways linking childhood BMI with educational attainment.

Methods: Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children prospective cohort study (N = 6949), we assessed the association between BMI z-scores at 11.

Molecular mediators of the association between child obesity and mental health.

Biological mechanisms underlying the association between obesity and depression remain unclear. We investigated the role of metabolites and DNA methylation as mediators of the relationship between childhood obesity and subsequent poor mental health in the English Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Obesity was defined according to United Kingdom Growth charts at age 7 years and mental health through the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) completed at age 11 years.