Quality of life and psychological functioning in pediatric obesity: the role of body image dissatisfaction between girls and boys of different ages

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore the associations between weight status, body image dissatisfaction (BID), and psychosocial adjustment [quality of life (QOL), internalizing and externalizing problems] of normal-weight and obese youth. It aims to explore whether the associations between weight status and psychosocial adjustment are mediated by BID as well as the moderating role of youth's age and gender on these associations. Methods The sample comprised 260 children and adolescents aged 8-18 years with normal weight (n = 128) and obesity (n = 132). All of the participants completed self-report instruments, including the KIDSCREEN-10, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Collins Body Image scale. Results Obese youth, regardless of gender, reported poorer QOL, more internalizing/externalizing problems, and higher rates of BID compared with their normal-weight counterparts. BID mediated the relationship between weight status and QOL, but only for youth above 12-year old. The relationship between weight status and internalizing/externalizing problems was direct and independent of youth's age and gender. Conclusions Pediatric obesity is associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes, which underlines the need for preventive and early interventions. An important target in psychological interventions seems to be BID, which proved to be an important mechanism linking obesity and decreased QOL among adolescents.

Reliability and validity of Japanese versions of KIDSCREEN-27 and KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaires

“…Each item of the SDQ is scored on a threepoint scale: not true (0), somewhat true (1), or certainly true (2). Higher scores indicate more significant problems and the total difficulties score (0-40) was classified into a normal range (0-12), borderline range (13)(14)(15), and clinical range (16-40) [26]. The Japanese parent-rated SDQ has been validated for a large community-based sample of 4 to 12-year-old children [26].…”

“…Since these shorter versions are practical to use and have a low administrative burden while maintaining many of the advantages of the KIDSCREEN-52 [10], they have been used in many countries for large-scale population-based studies [11,12], studies that investigate factors that impact the HRQOL of children with chronic diseases or conditions [13,14], and interventional [15] and longitudinal studies [16,17]. In particular, the use of these questionnaires for studies of HRQOL of children with mental health problems has increased [18][19][20].…”

Overweight and Obesity: Prevalence, Consequences, and Causes of a Growing Public Health Problem

“…OW/obese females have poorer psychosocial functioning than males in the domains of depressed mood and self-esteem [29], and the experience of weight-based discrimination appears to mediate both mood and anxiety disorders [21,26]. Clearly, psychosocial functioning may be affected on many levels among those with an increased BMI [30].…”

Overweight and Obesity Prevalence Among School-Aged Nunavik Inuit Children According to Three Body Mass Index Classification Systems

“…Excess weight (overweight/obesity) in children is a significant public health concern because of its association with adverse obesity-related diseases [1, 2], poor psychological outcomes [3], and the heightened risk of becoming obese adults. [4] Moreover, obesity and related diseases increase the burden on healthcare systems [5], creating unhealthy and less productive societies.…”