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Fan Y, Wang D, Wang W, Chen H, Lin J, Lin W, Yin L, Zhang R, Ma Z, Fan F. Depression, anxiety, and development of obesity from childhood to young adulthood in China. J Psychosom Res 2024; 185:111867. [PMID: 39151258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal bidirectional associations of depression and anxiety symptoms with the development of obesity over time among children and adolescents in different age groups from childhood to young adulthood. METHODS This is a three-wave longitudinal study that included >200,000 school-aged children between 5 and 18 years. Participants were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as participants' weight and height, were collected at each assessment. The cross-sectional associations between obesity and depression or anxiety were examined through ANOVA and Chi-square tests. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate their longitudinal bidirectional associations. RESULTS The prevalence of obesity reached a peak in the age group between 12 and 14 years. Concurrently, higher mean BMI and obesity prevalence were associated with more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety in each age group (ps < 0.001). Longitudinally, depression and anxiety significantly increased the risk of development of obesity over time (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.08 to 1.77). Moreover, obesity significantly aggravated the risk of development of depression (ORs = 1.17 to 1.68) and anxiety (ORs = 1.25 to 1.71) over time and hindered the alleviation of depressive (ORs = 0.68 to 0.79) and anxiety symptoms (ORs = 0.73 to 0.74). CONCLUSION Findings suggest that there were bidirectional associations between obesity and psychological distress. It may be important to continuously track BMI and psychological conditions for children and adolescents over time to avoid the reinforcement of their negative reciprocal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunge Fan
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongfang Wang
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haihui Chen
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junxu Lin
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weishi Lin
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luning Yin
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zijuan Ma
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Fang Fan
- School of Psychology, Centre for Studies of Psychological Applications, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Educational Science, Guangdong Emergency Response Technology Research Center for Psychological Assistance in Emergencies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
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Park JL, McArthur BA, Plamondon A, Hewitt JMA, Racine N, McDonald S, Tough S, Madigan S. The course of children's mental health symptoms during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychol Med 2024:1-12. [PMID: 39247941 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724001491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increases in child mental health problems, but the persistence of these changes in the post-pandemic era remains uncertain. Additionally, it is unclear whether changes in mental health problems during the pandemic exceed the anticipated increases as children age. This study controls for the linear effect of age in 1399 children, investigating the course of child-reported anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and inattention symptoms during and after the pandemic, and identifies risk and protective factors that predict these mental health trajectories. METHODS Children (51% male; ages 9-11 at the first timepoint) provided mental health ratings at three pandemic timepoints (July-August 2020; March-April 2021; November 2021-January 2022) and one post-pandemic timepoint (January-July 2023). Mothers reported pre-pandemic mental health (2017-2019) and socio-demographic factors. Children reported socio-demographic factors, risk (e.g. screen time, sleep), and resilience (e.g. optimism) factors during the first timepoint. RESULTS Average mental health symptoms increased over time, with more children exceeding clinical cut-offs for poor mental health at each subsequent pandemic timepoint. Growth curve modeling, adjusting for age-related effects, revealed a curvilinear course of mental health symptoms across all domains. Examination of risk and protective factors revealed that pre-existing mental health symptoms and optimism were associated with the course of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS After considering age effects, children's mental health follows a curvilinear pattern over time, suggesting an initial decline followed by a rising trend in symptoms post-COVID. These findings underscore the continued need for additional resources and timely, evidence-based mental health prevention and intervention for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L Park
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Brae Anne McArthur
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - André Plamondon
- Département des fondements et pratiques en éducation, Université Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Jackson M A Hewitt
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nicole Racine
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sheila McDonald
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Suzanne Tough
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sheri Madigan
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Šalčiūnaitė-Nikonovė L, Žemaitaitytė M, Šmigelskas K. Exploring the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety among Lithuanian Adolescents during Times of Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 11:32. [PMID: 38255346 PMCID: PMC10814592 DOI: 10.3390/children11010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Recent events in Europe, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War (RUW), might have sparked anxiety among adolescents. This study aimed to compare anxiety levels in Lithuanian adolescents post-COVID-19 peak (Study 1, October 2021) and during the onset of the RUW (Study 2, April-June 2022). Data from 459 participants in Study 1 and 6637 in Study 2, aged 11-17, were collected through HBSC pilot and national surveys in Lithuania. Self-reported questionnaires assessed anxiety, social media use, stress, loneliness, self-efficacy, and peer support factors. Analysis was conducted using multivariable logistic regressions. Notably, anxiety prevalence in Lithuanian adolescents showed no significant difference between Study 1 and Study 2, stabilizing around 24%. In 2021, stress (OR = 5.89, 95% CI 3.11-11.17), problematic social media use (OR = 4.58, 95% CI 1.89-10.58), and female gender (OR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.58-5.22) significantly predicted anxiety. By 2022, stress (OR = 3.68, 95% CI 3.14-4.30), loneliness (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 2.43-3.35), and lower self-efficacy (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.20-1.60) emerged as important predictors. This study enhances our understanding of adolescent anxiety during crises, emphasizing the urgency of addressing multiple factors to manage and support vulnerable youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Šalčiūnaitė-Nikonovė
- Health Research Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Department of Health Psychology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Monika Žemaitaitytė
- Health Research Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Kastytis Šmigelskas
- Health Research Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Department of Health Psychology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
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Kurz D, Braig S, Genuneit J, Rothenbacher D. Trajectories of child mental health, physical activity and screen-time during the COVID-19 pandemic considering different family situations: results from a longitudinal birth cohort. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2023; 17:36. [PMID: 36899392 PMCID: PMC9999332 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-023-00581-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many authors have described a significant mental health burden on children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly moderated by social disparities. This analysis explores whether pre-pandemic family circumstances might be related to different aspects of child health during the pandemic. METHODS We analyzed trajectories of health-related outcomes in children aged 5 to 9 years (T7 to T11) using the Ulm SPATZ Health study, a population based birth cohort study (baseline 04/2012-05/2013) conducted in the South of Germany. Outcomes were children's mental health, quality of life, and lifestyle, such as screen time and physical activity. We conducted descriptive statistics of maternal and child characteristics before and throughout the pandemic. We defined three different groups of pre-pandemic family situations and used adjusted mixed models to estimate differences in means associated with the time during the pandemic vs. before the pandemic in (a) all children and in (b) children belonging to specific pre-pandemic family situations. RESULTS We analyzed data from n = 588 children from whom at least one questionnaire was completed between T7 and T11. When not considering the pre-pandemic family situation, adjusted mixed models showed statistically significant lower mean scores of health-related quality of life among girls during vs. before the COVID-19 pandemic (difference in means (b): - 3.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): - 6.4, - 1.4). There were no substantial differences in mental health, screen time, or physical activity in boys or girls. When considering pre-pandemic family situations, boys with mothers having symptoms of depression or anxiety showed a substantial loss of health-related quality of life on the subscale of friends (b: - 10.5 (95% CI: - 19.7, - 1.4)). Among girls in this group, 60% of the 15 assessed outcomes were negatively associated with a remarkable loss in health-related quality of life (e.g., KINDL-physical well-being difference in means: - 12.2 (95% CI: - 18.9, - 5.4)). Furthermore, a substantial increase in screen time was found (+ 2.9 h (95% CI: 0.3, 5.6)). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the health (and behavior) of primary school-aged children is possibly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with adverse consequences differing by gender and very likely by the pre-pandemic family situation. Especially in girls having a mother with depression or anxiety symptoms, the adverse consequences of the pandemic on mental health seem to be aggregated. Boys showed fewer adverse trajectories, and it needs to be further assessed which factors exactly are behind the (socio-economic) factors, such as maternal working habits and limited living space, when analyzing the effect of the pandemic on children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Kurz
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 22, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Braig
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 22, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jon Genuneit
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 22, 89081, Ulm, Germany.,Pediatric Epidemiology, Clinic and Polyclinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dietrich Rothenbacher
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 22, 89081, Ulm, Germany
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