Increased Prevalence of Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Socio-Environmental Risk Factors among Overweight and Obese Youths in Mexico and the United States

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine various psychosocial, behavioral, and socio-environmental factors in a multiethnic sample of healthy-weight, overweight, and obese youths in the United States (US) and Mexico and determine differences by sex. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 633 youths aged 11–18 years who completed a self-reported questionnaire. Height and weight were measured to determine body mass index (BMI). Overweight and obese youth in both countries were significantly more likely to report a higher body image dissatisfaction (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.67 and OR= 2.95, respectively), depressive symptoms (OR = 1.08 and OR = 1.12, respectively), perceive themselves as overweight (OR = 2.57) or obese (OR = 5.30), and a lower weight-specific quality of life (OR = 0.97 and OR = 0.95, respectively) than healthy-weight youth. Obese youth have lower healthy lifestyle priorities (OR = 0.75) and are less likely to be physically active (OR = 0.79) and eat breakfast (OR = 0.47) than healthy-weight youth. Additionally, overweight and obese youth are more likely to engage in weight control behaviors (OR = 5.19 and OR = 8.88, respectively) and restrained eating than healthy-weight youth. All the aforementioned results had a p-value of <0.05, which was considered statistically significant. The association between these factors and overweight or obesity remained significant after controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and country. In conclusion, obesity was associated with a range of psychosocial, behavioral, and socio-environmental risk factors in both countries. Our findings support the need for multifactorial approaches when developing interventions to address the growing problem of obesity among youth in the US and Mexico.

Psychosocial Characteristics by Weight Loss and Engagement in a Digital Intervention Supporting Self-Management of Weight

“…There has been much work exploring correlations between weight or BMI and psychosocial characteristics in a variety of populations (e.g., [ 35 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. However, more understanding is needed of individuals’ psychosocial characteristics as they control their weight and engage with digital interventions or programs.…”

Comprendiendo la prevención de la obesidad desde un modelo de promoción de la salud, desde el apoyo familiar: Revisión de literatura

“…Respecto a la actividad física, ocho de cada diez adolescentes tienen un estilo de vida sedentario mayor a 10 horas por día (Carriere et al, 2019;García Milian & Creus García, 2016). Se identificó que los adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad realizan actividad física con la finalidad de reducir peso, no así en aquellos con normopeso, quienes pueden estar en riesgo de obesidad si continúan con una vida sedentaria (Flores et al, 2019). En este rubro la autoeficacia es un predictor para el compromiso con la actividad física, cerca de la mitad del cumplimiento de la actividad física se debe a ella .…”

Bullying experiences, body esteem, body dissatisfaction, and the moderating role of weight status among adolescents

“…The diathesis‐stress model offers a framework for delineating the influences on body image. In this model, negative life experiences such as bullying victimization interact with an adolescent's personal vulnerabilities (i.e., obesity status) to influence body image (Flores et al, 2019; Swearer & Hymel, 2015). Pediatric obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) for age and sex above the 95th percentile (Kuczmarski et al, 2000), continues to be a public health concern, affecting approximately one in five youth 2–19 years of age (Skinner et al, 2018).…”

“…Pediatric obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) for age and sex above the 95th percentile (Kuczmarski et al, 2000), continues to be a public health concern, affecting approximately one in five youth 2–19 years of age (Skinner et al, 2018). Adolescents with obesity often have worse body image disturbances compared to adolescents with normal or overweight status (Danielsen et al, 2012; Flores et al, 2019; Goldfield et al, 2010; Griffiths et al, 2010; Shin & Shin, 2008). Further, adolescents with obesity are at risk for negative physical and mental health outcomes (Rankin et al, 2016) including bullying victimization (Lumeng et al, 2010).…”