[Factorial study of the psychopathological factors of morbid obesity in the adolescent]

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in urban schools in Kamsar Republic of Guinea

Introduction. Overweight is a consequence of nutritional transitions, seden-tarity lifestyle, and poverty. Objective. To determine the prevalence of overweight in schools. Population and methods. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, uni and bi varied analytics, and logistic regression. The CHI2 of Pearson, and Wald have been ap-plied. Odds ratio (OR), and risk factors were estimated. Results. Data concerned 300 children (49% of boys), with a sex ratio of 1.02, an average age of 14 (±2 years), and an overweight of 25%. Factors associated with overweight were ethnicity type [P - 0.000 (OR to 95%) 1.00 (0.000 – 2.000)], gender [P - 0.006 (OR to 95% CI) 2.00 (1.000 – 3.000)], family history: obesity [P - 0.000 (OR to 95% CI) 3.00 (1.000 – 6.000)], high blood pressure (HBP) [P - 0.015 (OR to 95% CI) 1.00 (1.000 – 3.000)],type 2 diabetes (T2D) [P - 0.002 (OR to 95% CI) 2.00 (1.000 – 4.000)], meals number [P - 0.000 (OR to 95% CI) 3.00 (2.000 – 6.000)], activities by week [P - 0.000 (OR to 95% CI) 4.00 (2.000 – 7.000)], and age [P - 0.000 (OR to 95% CI) 7.00 (4.068 –12.000)]. Conclusion. Overweight is high in boys. Family history, as obesity, T2D, HBP, meals number, lacks of activities increase this risk.

Perceived Expressed Emotion, Emotional and Behavioral Problems and Self-Esteem in Obese Adolescents: A Case-Control Study

Objective

Obesity is a chronic disease which leads to medical and psychiatric complications. Family climate is a critical factor in the treatment of obesity and comorbid psychiatric disorders. In our study, perceived expressed emotion (EE), psychopathology, self-esteem and emotional and behavioural problems (BP) among obese adolescents were investigated and compared with their non-obese peers.

Methods

The subjects were 49 obese adolescents and 47 non-obese adolescents served as the control group. All participants were requested to fill out the Socio-demographic Data Form, Shortened Level of Expressed Emotion Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire-Adolescent Form.

Results

In our study, obese adolescents showed a significant difference in perceived EE (p<0.001). Subscales of EE, such as Lack of Emotional Support (p<0.001), intrusiveness (p<0.001), irritability (p<0.001), self-esteem (p<0.001), emotional and BP (p<0.001), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (p<0.001), problems in peer relationships (p<0.001) and social skills (p<0.001) were significantly worse when compared with the control group. There was a strong relationship between EE and emotional and BP and self-esteem.

Conclusion

The higher rate of perceived EE, psychopathology and low self-esteem among obese adolescents showed that obesity prevention and treatment are also crucial for good mental health in adolescents. The important role of the family in mental health of obese adolescents was emphasized. It was shown that identification of risk factors in childhood that promote obesity should be done so that targeted intervention and prevention programs can be developed.