Health related quality of life and psychological problems in Egyptian children with simple obesity in relation to body mass index

Eman A Abdel-Aziz,Rasha T Hamza,Azza M Youssef,Fayrouz M Mohammed

doi:10.1016/j.ejmhg.2014.01.002

Eman A Abdel-Aziz, Rasha T Hamza + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmhg.2014.01.002

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Abstract

BackgroundObesity in childhood or adolescence could affect quality of life (QOL). There is little existing information about the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of obese children and adolescents. ObjectiveTo assess HRQOL and psychiatric co-morbidities in obese children and adolescents; and their relationship to body mass index (BMI). MethodsFifty obese children and adolescents were compared to 50 healthy age-, sex- and pubertal stage-matched non obese children and adolescents serving as controls. They were assessed by child self-report and parent proxy report using a pediatric HRQOL inventory scale, also, Children Anxiety Scale and Children Depression Inventory (CDI) were assessed. ResultsObese children had total HRQOL score: 69.1±8.4 versus 81.1±7.8 respectively, p<0.001 and their parents had total score: 62.9±9.5 versus 74.9±7.2 respectively, p<0.001. Obese children reported lower health-related QOL scores in all domains than controls. BMI standard deviation score (SDS) correlated negatively with total score and all domains in child self report and parent proxy report. Anxiety (mild: 8%, moderate: 38%, severe: 54%) and depression (mild: 18%, moderate: 24%, severe: 58%) were pre-existing or diagnosed in all obese children with significant positive correlations between BMISDS and each of anxiety (r=0.81, p<0.01) and CDI scores (r=0.78, p=0.01). BMI (OR: 5.72, 95%CI: 2.57–5.9) and waist circumference (OR:2.27, 95%CI:1.99–5.31) SDSs were independent risk factors affecting the total QOL score. ConclusionsObese children and adolescents have lower health-related QOL that correlated negatively with BMI, also they are more susceptible to anxiety and depression symptoms than non obese children.

Highlights

Overweight and obesity rates continue to increase among the pediatric population, as well as in adults [1,2,3,4,5]
Abdel-Aziz et al Conclusions: Obese children and adolescents have lower health-related quality of life (QOL) that correlated negatively with body mass index (BMI), they are more susceptible to anxiety and depression symptoms than non obese children
All anthropometric measurements and waist circumference standard deviation score (SDS) were significantly higher in obese children than controls (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Overweight and obesity rates continue to increase among the pediatric population, as well as in adults [1,2,3,4,5]. Statistics from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 11.3% of children and adolescents aged 2–19 are at or above the 97th percentile of BMI-for-age growth charts, 16.3% are at or above the 95th percentile, and 31.9% are at or above the 85th percentile [6,7] By these definitions, nearly one third of individuals between the age of 2 and 19 years are either overweight or obese [6]. Obesity is associated with numerous physical problems, such as hypertension, coronary arteriosclerosis, elevated cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, joint problems, stroke, and certain types of cancers [1]. It is associated with several problems, such as lower self-concept, negative self-evaluation, decreased self-image, anxiety and depression [2]. There is little existing information about the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of obese children and adolescents

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