Abstract
Research suggests child and maternal depression and increased stress may contribute to the etiology of obesity. This study explores psychosocial factors as predictors of body composition in 7–11 year‐old urban Guatemalan children. Results are based on baseline data from 720 children participating in a zinc supplementation study. Using WHO growth references, 22% of children were overweight or obese (Mean[SD] BMIZ = 0.32[1.1]); 30% of children and 45% of mothers exhibited high levels of depressive symptoms, with 7% of children experiencing high frequency of stress. Linear regression models show no association between child or maternal depression levels and BMIZ. Experiencing more frequent stressful life events was significantly associated with lower BMIZ (β[SE] =−0.33 [0.2]), adjusting for demographic factors and physical activity. Neither child nor maternal depression was associated with BMI, but stressful life events were negatively associated with BMI in this population. Funded by NIMH grant 5R01 MH067981‐04.
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