Examining the role that weight perception and social influences have on mental health among youth in the COMPASS study

The association between depressive symptoms and overweight or obesity in prepubertal children: Findings from the QUALITY cohort

BACKGROUND

Youth obesity and depression are public health concerns. Although meta-analyses suggest a positive association between those conditions in adults and adolescents, evidence remains unclear in prepubertal children. We examined the bidirectional associations between levels of depressive symptoms and weight status in 8-10-year-old children with a parental history of obesity, over two years, and whether they differ by sex.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the QUebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth Cohort Study's baseline and first follow-up evaluations (n = 558). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 12-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale and weight status using body mass index z-scores based on World Health Organization standards. Linear and logistic regression models were used to test the directionality and magnitude of the associations, adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, screen time, parental education, alcohol and cigarette use, and baseline outcome measure.

RESULTS

Children with higher levels of depressive symptoms at baseline were not more likely to have overweight/obesity at follow-up (odds ratio [95 % Coefficient Interval] = 0.95[0.88;1.02]). Baseline overweight/obesity was not associated with subsequent higher levels of depressive symptoms (beta coefficient [95 % Coefficient Interval] = 0.20 [-0.47;0.87]). No sex differences emerged.

LIMITATIONS

Selection bias may have occurred due to loss at follow-up (10 % attrition) and exclusion of 6 participants taking mood disorder medication.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike in adults and adolescents, no association between weight status and depressive symptoms was observed in childhood over two years. Underlying mechanisms linking both conditions later in life may not apply as early as prepubertal childhood.

Association between weight, weight perception, weight teasing and mental health among adolescents

BACKGROUND

Adolescent mental health problems are becoming increasingly prevalent, and there are correlations between weight-related concerns and adolescent mental health. The aim of this study is to explore the association between three weight-related factors (actual weight, weight perception, and weight teasing) and mental health problems (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and loneliness) in Chinese adolescents.

METHODS

10,070 adolescents between the ages of 11-18 from schools in Shanghai, China were selected using a stratified random cluster sampling method. Self-reported questionnaires were collected to investigate weight-related factors and mental health problems. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depressive symptoms, loneliness, mild anxiety symptoms, and moderate to severe anxiety symptoms among adolescents were 18.0%, 53.8%, 26.5%, and 12.3%, respectively, with a higher prevalence found in females. After adjusting for weight perception and weight teasing, actual weight had no harmful impact on adolescents' mental health. Adolescents' perception of being overweight increased the risk of depressive symptoms, loneliness, mild anxiety symptoms, and moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, while the perception of being underweight had a similar but more profound impact (depressive symptoms OR = 1.590, 95% CI: 1.342-1.883; loneliness OR = 1.537, 95% CI: 1.353-1.746; mild anxiety symptoms OR = 1.368, 95% CI: 1.178-1.589; moderate to severe anxiety symptoms OR = 1.780, 95% CI: 1.449-2.186). Experiencing weight teasing more than once a year had a greater effect on adolescents' mental health, especially among adolescents with overweight/obesity (depressive symptoms OR = 2.970, 95% CI: 2.325-3.793; loneliness OR = 3.839, 95% CI: 3.119-4.727; mild anxiety symptoms OR = 2.822, 95% CI: 2.236-3.562; moderate to severe anxiety symptoms OR = 5.212, 95% CI: 3.846-7.065).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of mental health problems among adolescents was high, especially loneliness. Weight perception and weight teasing, but not the actual weight, independently influenced adolescent mental health.

The prevalence of underweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents with major depressive disorder and relationship with suicidal ideation and attempted suicide

Background

The high rates of obesity and suicide have become serious public health problems worldwide, especially in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). This research aimed to explore the rates of underweight, overweight or obesity, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide in hospitalized children and adolescents with MDD. Then, we analyzed the correlation between underweight or obesity and suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, and finally obtained the independent influencing factors of underweight or obesity.

Methods

A total of 757 subjects in the Third People's Hospital of Fuyang from January 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled in this study. According to the underweight, overweight and obesity screening table for school-age children and adolescents published and implemented by the health industry standard of China, all subjects were divided into different body mass index (BMI) categories. We measured fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid levels in all subjects and assessed suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, and the severity of depressive symptoms. The socio-demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed by SPSS 22.0.

Results

The rates of underweight, overweight, obesity, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide were 8.2% (62/757), 15.5% (117/757), 10.4% (79/757), 17.2% (130/757), and 9.9% (75/757), respectively. Correlation analysis indicated that BMIs level was positively correlated with age, age of first hospitalization, total duration of disease, number of hospitalizations, FBG, TG (triglyceride), TC (total cholesterol), LDL (low density lipoprotein), and negatively correlated with HDL (high density lipoprotein). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that male and high level of HDL were risk factors for MDD inpatients with underweight, while high level of TG was a protective factor. Meanwhile, higher levels of FBG, TG and CGI-S were risk factors and suicidal ideation and high dose of antidepressant drugs were protective factors for obesity in children and adolescents with MDD.

Conclusion

The prevalence of underweight, obesity, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide were high in children and adolescents with MDD, and severe depressive symptoms are independent risk factors for obesity, while suicidal ideation and high dose of antidepressants may be protective factors for obesity.

Food Behaviours and Health Indicators in Manitoba Adolescents and Relation to the Healthy Eating Index

Adolescence is a vital period of growth and development, both of which are dependent on adequate nutrition; however, concerns persist about poor nutrition and inappropriate food behaviours. In addition to nutrition assessment, the context of food and health behaviour is necessary to understand how dietary choices are shaped and related to diet quality. This study describes food-related behaviours and health indicators associated with dietary quality among adolescents in Manitoba, Canada. A stratified two-stage sampling method was used to collect data on the diet, food behaviours and health indicators of 1587 grade nine students. Diet quality was analysed using the Healthy Eating Index-Canada. Several food behaviours and health indicators varied by gender and school region (urban, rural, northern). The Independent Samples t-test and one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) assessed differences between groups on the Healthy Eating Index-Canada. Higher Healthy Eating Index-Canada scores were found for those eating family dinners more frequently; consuming breakfast and lunch more frequently; consuming breakfast at home; eating lunch and morning snacks at school; purchasing fewer meals and snacks from cafeterias and vending machines; believing that food and nutrition education is important; not attempting to lose weight; being classified as 'healthy weight'; and getting more sleep. Many Manitoba youth are exhibiting food and health behaviours that increase their risk of having a poor diet.