Abstract
ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To evaluate the existing literature on the association between parents’ depression and anxiety and their influence on their children’s weight during childhood, identifying possible mechanisms involved in this association.METHODS A systematic search of the literature was conducted in the PubMed, PsycINFO and SciELO databases, using the following descriptors: (maternal OR mother* OR parent* OR paternal OR father) AND (“common mental disorder” OR “mental health” OR “mental disorder” OR “depressive disorder” OR depress* OR anxiety OR “anxiety disorder”) AND (child* OR pediatric OR offspring) AND (overweight OR obes* OR “body mass index” OR BMI). A total of 1,187 articles were found after peer selection.RESULTS In total, 16 articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for the review. Most of them investigated depressive symptoms and only three, symptoms of maternal anxiety. The evaluated studies suggested a positive association between symptoms of maternal depression and higher risk of childhood obesity. The results diverged according to the chronicity of depressive symptoms (episodic or recurrent depression) and income of the investigated country (high or middle income). Mechanisms were identified passing by quality of parenthood, affecting behaviors related to physical activity and child-feeding, as mediators of the association.CONCLUSIONS We conclude there is evidence of a positive relationship between the occurrence of maternal symptoms of depression and anxiety and childhood obesity. It is emphasized the need for a better understanding on the effect of depressive symptoms and the contextual factors involved in this relationship so that effective intervention strategies can be implemented.
Highlights
In the last four decades, the number of obese children and adolescents has increased tenfold in the world, from 11 million in 1975 to 124 million in 20161
A systematic review of the literature was conducted, aiming to identify original articles that evaluate the association between parental depression and anxiety disorders, and overweight of children aged between 1 and 12 years
The following terms were used for search: AND (“common mental disorder” OR “mental health” OR “mental disorder” OR “depressive disorder” OR depress* OR anxiety OR “anxiety disorder”) AND AND
Summary
In the last four decades, the number of obese children and adolescents has increased tenfold in the world, from 11 million in 1975 to 124 million in 20161. According to this trend, by 2022 obesity will overcome malnutrition in these phases of life[1]. In addition to the increase in obesity in the population of children and adolescents, another contemporary global phenomenon is the high prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders noted among young people and adults[2]. Between 2005 and 2015, a worldwide increase of 18% in depression and 15% in anxiety disorders occurred. Despite the differences between countries, in all of them a higher prevalence of both disorders among women is present[3]
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