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Obesity and psychiatric disorder: developmental trajectories
Sarah Mustillo1, Carol Worthman, Alaattin Erkanli
1Center for Developmental Epidemiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA. smustillo@psych.mc.duke.edu
Pediatrics
|April 3, 2003
Summary
Chronic obesity in youth is linked to psychiatric disorders like oppositional defiant disorder and depression. This longitudinal study tracked obesity trajectories and mental health in children and adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Child and adolescent psychiatry
- Developmental psychology
- Public health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with potential long-term consequences.
- Understanding the developmental trajectories of obesity is crucial for identifying at-risk individuals.
- The link between obesity and psychiatric disorders requires further investigation across different developmental stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify age-related obesity trajectories from childhood to adolescence.
- To examine the association between these obesity trajectories and the development of specific psychiatric disorders.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 991 white children (ages 9-16) from a rural youth sample.
- Annual evaluations over 8 years assessing height, weight, and psychiatric status.
- Developmental trajectory and generalized estimating equation models used for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Obesity prevalence was 3-4 times higher than national rates.
- Four obesity trajectories identified: no obesity (73%), chronic obesity (15%), childhood obesity (5%), and adolescent obesity (7%).
- Chronic obesity was significantly associated with oppositional defiant disorder and depressive disorders.
Conclusions:
- Chronic obesity in youth is associated with increased psychopathology.
- Early identification and intervention for chronic obesity may be important for preventing psychiatric disorders.