Characteristics of eating behavior in obese children, living in the Moscow region

Abstract

Obesity is one of the most pressing problems of modern pediatrics. An important role in its formation is played by an eating disorder (ED). Рurpose. Analysis of the frequency of various types of ED in obese children living in the Moscow region, depending on age and gender. Materials and methods. 150 children with exogenous constitutional obesity (SDS BMI≥+2.0) were examined, 87 of them boys (58%) and 63 girls (42%). Two age groups were identified: group I - age 8-12 years (73 children), group II - age 13-17 years (77 children). The assessment of the NPP was carried out using the Dutch DEBQ eating behavior questionnaire. Results. 89% of the respondents had registered ED. An isolated restrictive type of ED was more often detected (39%), less often a combination of all three types (23%) and a combination of restrictive and emotionogenic types (11%). Monovariants were more often registered in children of group I, and a combination of all three types of ED was more often registered in group II. Regardless of age and gender, the restrictive type prevailed among the monovariants. In children of group I of the combinations, a combination of restrictive and emotionogenic types was more often noted, in children of group II - all three types. Different combinations of the two types were more often registered in girls, whereas of all three types - in boys. Conclusion. ED was registered in the absolute majority of the surveyed obese children living in the Moscow region, regardless of age and gender (89%). The predominance of the restrictive type of ED indicates irrational attempts to control body weight through diet. An increase in the frequency of detection of a combination of all three types in adolescence, mainly in males, indicates a high risk of the possibility of ED transition to psychiatric disorders in this category of patients. It is necessary to use questionnaires in clinical practice for the timely detection of ED in children and correction of therapeutic and preventive measures.