Systematic review: Symptoms of parental depression and anxiety and offspring overweight

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 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.

Socioeconomic Health Inequalities in Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome and Depression: No Mediation by Parental Depression and Parenting Style

“…Studies which used components of the FSM have shown that parental depression and parenting style mediate the relationship between economic hardship and mental health [ 3 , 11 ]. Parental depression has been shown to be associated with childhood obesity [ 12 ], and similarly, parenting style mediated the relationship between SES and childhood trajectories of body mass index (BMI), which is another cardiometabolic risk factor [ 13 ]. However, these components of the FSM have not been investigated for MetS, and in general most studies on the FSM have not focused on the potentially unique roles of education and occupation [ 14 ].…”

Caregivers' feeding practices in Ethiopia: association with caregiver and child characteristics

“…Caregivers' practice of food restriction is likely to affect children's natural signals of hunger and satiety cues ( 53 ) . Caregivers' food restriction has been shown to mediate a positive relationship between caregivers/mothers with depressive symptoms and childhood obesity ( 54 ) . This can further be explained in our study, which showed that caregivers' depression status is positively associated with food restriction.…”

Impacto da depressão materna na saúde infantil / Impact of maternal depression on child health

“…Mulheres com DG e ou DPP parecem apresentar maior chance de terem filhos desnutridos ou obesos. 10 "A desnutrição infantil persiste como um grande problema de saúde pública nos países em desenvolvimento, contribuindo para 1/3 das mortes de menores de cinco anos." 11 A associação entre depressão materna e desnutrição infantil parece ocorrer por uma confluência de mecanismos, dentre eles: interrupção precoce da amamentação materna; menor capacidade da mãe em prestar os cuidados ao filho devido a seu transtorno, promovendo, assim, práticas inadequadas de higiene, suprimento insuficiente de alimentos e menor vínculo com a criança comprometendo seu crescimento; atitudes de negligência materna, dentre outros.…”

“…10 Em relação ao aumento da obesidade infantil, os mecanismos envolvidos seriam: prestação de cuidados inadequados ao filho levando a hábitos alimentares menos saudáveis; menor controle sobre o tempo de tela ou outros comportamentos sedentários; menor realização de atividades recreativas com os filhos, por exigirem envolvimento materno direto e o uso de comida como recompensa. 10 Prematuridade e Baixo Peso ao Nascer "O baixo peso ao nascer está associado ao maior risco de morbidade e mortalidade perinatal e neonatal, problemas emocionais, cognitivos e comportamentais, diminuição da performance escolar, depressão na adolescência, entre outros agravos." 12 Estudos revelam relação positiva entre depressão materna e baixo peso ao nascer /prematuridade, sendo que mães deprimidas parecem ser duas a três vezes mais susceptíveis a esses desfechos.…”