Linking Psychosocial Stress Events, Psychological Disorders and Childhood Obesity

Bibliographic Data

ID15715146
AuthorsMarta Rojo (0000-0003-4747-4433, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Santos Solano (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Tatiana Lacruz (0000-0001-7512-3548, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), José Ignacio Baile Ayensa (0000-0001-8123-405X), Miriam Blanco (0000-0002-5040-8878, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Montserrat Graell (0000-0003-2606-7986, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental), Ana R Sepúlveda (0000-0002-6041-2889, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume8
Issue3
Pages211-211
Publication date2021-03-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children8030211
PMID33802090
OpenAlexW3133814407
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited16

There is scientific evidence that supports a strong association between early exposure to stressful life events and the presence of health complications throughout adulthood and, to a lesser extent, in adolescence and childhood. The aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of Psychosocial Stress Events (PSE) and the prevalence of mental disorders in children from 8 to 12 years. The association between these factors and child weight measurements was analysed. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 children classified by weight status (obesity, overweight and normal-weight). The assessment was carried out in primary care centres and primary schools. An experienced team carried out a structured medical-psychosocial history and a semi-structured interview aimed at identifying an early diagnosis of psychological disorders. Children filled out a questionnaire to evaluate PSE. The obesity group presented the greatest accumulation of PSE and highest prevalence of psychiatric diagnosis, compared to overweight and normal-weight children. To exceed four or more stressful events was positively associated with psychological problems and child body mass index (BMI z-score). A predictive model confirmed the interaction between a larger number of PSE and the occurrence of a psychiatric diagnosis as variables that predispose children by 26.2 times more to increased weight status. In conclusion, the accumulation of PSE in the family, school and social environments of the children was related to greater psychological distress. If not managed, the likelihood of suffering from other health complications, such as excess weight, may increase. It is important to monitor these variables to ensure positive health outcomes while specifically addressing childhood obesity. This is especially relevant for children from a disadvantaged social background and disharmonious family environments

Body mass index · Distress · Mental health · Obesity · Overweight · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Clinical Psychology · Early Childhood Education and Development · Medicine · Internal Medicine

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