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[Depression and state of nutrition in schoolchildren from Sonora]
Cruz Mónica López-Morales1, Jennifer Pascalis-Orozco, Ricardo Gonzalez-Heredia
1Investigación en Salud, Departamento de Planeación y Enlace Institucional, Delegación Sonora, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad Obregón. monica.lopezm26@gmail.com.
Insights
Pediatric obesity is linked to a higher risk of depression in schoolchildren. Obese children were over three times more likely to experience depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for integrated care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
Context:
- Pediatric obesity is a growing epidemic with significant psychological impacts.
- Childhood obesity is associated with increased risks of depression and anxiety.
- Socio-economic factors and lifestyle contribute to pediatric obesity.
Purpose:
- To investigate the association between nutritional status and depression in schoolchildren.
- To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among obese children.
- To analyze the relationship between body mass index and mental health in a pediatric population.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study in Sonora involved 101 schoolchildren.
- The Kovacs test identified depressive symptoms; nutritional status was assessed using CDC percentiles.
- Obese schoolchildren had a 3.16 odds ratio for depression, while normal-weight and underweight children did not exhibit depression.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the importance of screening for depression in obese children.
- Highlights the need for integrated management of obesity and mental health in pediatric care.
- Informs public health strategies for addressing the dual burden of pediatric obesity and mental health issues.
Background:
Pediatric obesity has become a problem of epidemic proportions, due to the inadequate and excessive consumption of food, sedentary lifestyle, and the restricted socio-economic development. This causes a major risk in health complications that have an effect on the psychological and social spheres of the child, which makes him endure such diseases as depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to determine the association between depression and the nutritional status of schoolchildren from a family medicine unit in Sonora.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study performed during 2011 in 101 schoolchildren from Sonora. Kovacs test was applied to detect depressive symptoms; nutritional status was determined by weight and height; body mass index was calculated according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) percentiles. The results were analyzed in SPSS version 18 using Mann-Whitney U and chi-square.
Results:
Of all the patients with depression, 19 were obese; the other 10 showed a normal nutrition status. Patients with low weight did not show depression. The odds ratio (OR) for depression in students with obesity was 3.16, 95 % CI = 1.13, 7.12.
Conclusions:
The detection and management of depression should be considered in the treatment of obesity.
