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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Association between peer relationship problems and childhood overweight/obesity
Anja Boneberger1, Rüdiger von Kries, Astrid Milde-Busch
1Division of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany. anja.boneberger@med.uni-muenchen.de
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 18, 2009
Summary
Children with peer relationship problems show higher rates of overweight and obesity. This association was significant in girls, suggesting a need for integrated physical and psychosocial health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns.
- Peer relationship problems are common in preschool children and can impact psychosocial development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between peer relationship problems and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children.
- To determine if this association differs by gender.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 4718 preschool children's mandatory school entry health examinations.
- Assessed peer relationship problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
- Defined overweight and obesity based on age- and gender-specific BMI cut-off points and employed multivariate logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Children with 'borderline' or 'abnormal' peer relationship problems had a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity.
- Abnormal peer relationship problems were significantly associated with overweight (OR 2.0) and obesity (OR 2.6) in girls, even after controlling for confounders.
- This association was not significant among boys.
Conclusions:
- A significant link exists between peer relationship problems and increased overweight/obesity prevalence in preschool children, particularly girls.
- The findings suggest a co-morbidity that is not explained by confounding factors.
- Interventions should address both the physical and psychosocial health of children experiencing peer relationship difficulties.
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