Obesogenic behaviours and depressive symptoms in children: a narrative literature review

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Obesogenic behaviors are increasingly prevalent in children.
• Depressive symptoms in children are a growing public health concern.
• Understanding the interplay between lifestyle factors and mental health in youth is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize evidence on the association between obesogenic behaviors (physical activity, screen time, diet) and depressive symptoms in children aged 6-12 years.
• To identify consistent patterns and the strength of associations between specific behaviors and depression.
• To provide a comprehensive overview for researchers and clinicians.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, PsychInfo, and Embase databases (March-May 2014, August 2015).
• Inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed articles (1990-2015) on children aged 8-12, obesogenic behaviors, and depressive symptoms.
• Screening and eligibility assessment of 415 retrieved articles, retaining 21 studies for analysis.

Main Results:

• Lower physical activity was associated with higher depression in 80% of studies.
• Higher screen time was associated with higher depression in 100% of studies.
• Poor dietary intake was associated with higher depression in 60% of studies.
• Significant associations found between depression and all three obesogenic behaviors, with stronger links to physical activity and screen time.

Conclusions:

• Obesogenic behaviors, particularly reduced physical activity and increased screen time, are consistently associated with depressive symptoms in children.
• Dietary intake also shows a significant association with depression.
• Findings underscore the importance of addressing lifestyle factors in the prevention and management of childhood depression.