Hedonic Hunger, Diet, and Anthropometric Indicators in School-Age Children

Background & Aim

Hedonic hunger, defined as the desire to consume palatable foods in the absence of physiological need, has emerged as an important determinant of unhealthy eating behaviors in children. This study aimed to examine the association between hedonic hunger, dietary intake, and anthropometric indicators in school-age children.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 1,203 children aged 7–14 years from primary and secondary schools in İzmir, Türkiye (2022–2024). Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews. Hedonic hunger was assessed using the Children’s Power of Food Scale (PFS). Anthropometric measurements were evaluated using WHO AnthroPlus. Dietary intake was assessed via a 24-hour dietary recall and analyzed using BeBiS software.

Results

The mean PFS score was 2.81±0.80. Higher PFS scores were associated with irregular breakfast consumption and increased snack frequency (p < 0.05). Children with normal BMI-for-age had significantly higher PFS scores than overweight/obese peers (p < 0.05). PFS scores showed weak positive correlations with energy, carbohydrate, and fat intake, as well as neck circumference, and negative correlations with dietary antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and height-for-age (p < 0.05). Regression analysis identified breakfast consumption as a significant predictor of hedonic hunger outcomes, although the explained variance was low (R²=3.7%).

Conclusions

Hedonic hunger is associated with dietary patterns and selected anthropometric indicators in school-age children. Breakfast consumption appears as a key modifiable behavior linked to hedonic eating. Interventions targeting both diet quality and eating behaviors may help improve child health outcomes.

Key messages

• Hedonic hunger is linked to dietary intake patterns and selected anthropometric indicators in school-age children, reflecting its role in shaping eating behaviours.

• Breakfast habits are a key modifiable factor associated with hedonic hunger, highlighting a potential target for interventions to improve child nutrition and health.